A former ABC News field producer, Samira Said, has initiated a wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer, alleging sexual harassment by CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles on August 14, outlines specific instances of misconduct involving Gutman, who is currently a lead correspondent for the program "48 Hours."
According to the lawsuit, Said was assigned to an all-male crew that included Gutman and two other members. She alleges that while on assignment, Gutman initiated a conversation in which he rated a female correspondent’s physical appearance, effectively reducing her professional standing to a numerical score based on her physical attributes. The suit claims that the male crew members joined in the assessment and attempted to solicit Said’s opinion, which she declined, stating that the discussion was inappropriate. In a separate incident, Said alleges that when she and Gutman disagreed on whether to depart a work site, he made a "sexualized insinuation" implying she must have an after-hours date. The lawsuit contends that this remark was made audibly to others, demeaning Said and reducing her professional judgment to a sexualized stereotype.
Aaron Gbewonyo, an attorney for Said, stated that the circumstances surrounding her termination constitute clear violations of the law and have had profound personal and professional consequences. Gbewonyo suggested that ABC's conduct was not an isolated incident and expressed hope that Said's decision to come forward would empower others to speak out against workplace injustice. Both CBS News and ABC News have been contacted for comment regarding the allegations.
Said worked as a field producer at the ABC News Los Angeles bureau from May 2021 until March 2025. Gutman, who joined ABC News in 2008 as a radio correspondent before rising to chief national correspondent, moved to CBS News in January after being hired by new editor in chief Bari Weiss, and he remains based in Los Angeles.
The lawsuit also highlights broader grievances against ABC and former Los Angeles bureau chief David Herndon, specifically regarding pressure to work while on protected medical leave. After covering the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 students and two teachers were killed, Said experienced what the complaint describes as "severe psychological symptoms." A psychiatrist granted her medical leave from August 2022 through January 2023. Upon her return, she was cleared for work with specific accommodations designed to enable her to perform her duties while protecting against re-exposure to trauma triggers. However, the suit alleges that Herndon insisted she return without restrictions or full-week availability, or she would not be permitted to resume her role. Said was subsequently demoted to weekend desk shifts in March 2023.
The legal action further notes that Said was fired in March 2025 shortly after sustaining a foot injury from heavy equipment while covering a hazardous weather event. Although a Disney physician evaluated the injury and determined that the bone contusion did not require her to take leave, her termination followed shortly thereafter.
Throughout his career, Gutman has faced previous controversies. In 2020, he was suspended by ABC News for erroneously reporting on air that all four of Kobe Bryant’s children died in the helicopter crash that killed the NBA legend, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others. Additionally, in September 2023, he received criticism for his remarks regarding text messages sent by Tyler Robinson, an individual charged with assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Gutman had called the texts "very touching in a way we did not expect," and he later apologized for his choice of words in that instance.
