Utica NY Radio: Former News Anchor Sues WIBX

Jeanette Lenoir

Former WIBX 950 AM in Utica, NY news anchor Jeanette Lenoir is reportedly suing WIBX parent Townsquare Media, after obtaining a “Notice of Right to Sue” from the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

According to CYNRadio.com,  Lenoir alleges she was paid less than white colleagues, overlooked for promotional opportunities and was fired without explanation in 2012.

In the 19-page court filing, Lenoir alleges she was the victim of “discrimination based upon her race and sex.” Lenoir was hired as a news reporter in July 2010. She said the first trouble came that October, when then-GM Mary Jo Beach asked her to begin co-hosting WIBX’s weekday morning talk show, “First Look.” The suit says co-host and then News Director (now Program Director) Jeff Monaski “openly and persistently opposed” the pairing, but after a few weeks, Lenoir began co-hosting the program. However, she complains that the hosting duties required her to work more hours each day, and more than 40 hours per week, without any additional pay.

The next section of the lawsuit details two occasions within a few months of each other, during which the News Director post at WIBX was vacant. Both times, Lenoir applied and felt she was overlooked in favor of less-qualified white male applicants.

This story was first reported by Tom Taylor NOW.

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