Ellen DeGeneres show staff have accused the host of “turning a blind eye” on alleged sexual harassment claims by top producers.
The reality TV star, 62, who has now apologised to her employees, allegedly ignored claims from her staff about “sexual misconduct” and “bullying”.
Former workers have claimed senior executives who work behind-the-scenes on the show groped and kissed employees and reportedly solicited one of them for oral sex, according to The Sun.
Allegations of workplace bullying were reported by BuzzFeed after Ellen broke her silence on the claims the show is a “toxic work environment”.
A total of 36 employees were reportedly interviewed.
Ellen has come under fire in recent months due to ‘toxic workplace’ (Image: GC Images)
One ex-worker said: “Warner Brothers has a responsibility not just to the people who work on The Ellen Show, but to its viewers and its shareholders to make sure people are protected on the job, and that they’re not harassed, and they’re not working in an environment that is toxic and unhealthy.”
As another claimed Kevin Leman, who is the show’s executive producer, tried to have oral sex with him at a company party in 2013.
Other staff claim they saw Kevin grope and kiss other employees, and nearly a dozen told BuzzFeed he often made “sexually explicit comments” about colleagues.
She has been under internal investigation by WarnerMedia (Image: Getty Images for The Recording A)
An ex-employee alleged the same senior staff member sexually assaulted him in front of other staff.
They said: “He’d probably do it in front of 10 people and they’d laugh because, ‘It’s just Kevin being Kevin,’ but if you’re in a position of power at a company, you don’t just get to touch me like that.”
Kevin Leman released a statement vehemently denying “any kind of sexual impropriety.”
Sandra Bullock and Ellen on the show (Image: mirror.co.uk)
He said: “I started at the Ellen Show as a PA more than 17 years ago and have devoted my career to work my way to the position I now hold.
“While my job as head writer is to come up with jokes — and, during that process, we can occasionally push the envelope — I’m horrified that some of my attempts at humour may have caused offence.”
Kevin concluded: “I have always aimed to treat everyone on the staff with kindness, inclusivity and respect.
“In my whole time on the show, to my knowledge, I’ve never had a single HR or inter-personal complaint made about me, and I am devastated beyond belief that this kind of malicious and misleading article could be published.”
Daily Star Online has contacted Ellen’s rep for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
