Philly Radio: WMGK Gets Sex Harassment Suit Extension

Jennifer O'Neil and John DeBella

Beasley Media Group and Classic Rock WMGK 102.9 FM morning personality John DeBella have been given extra time to respond to a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against them by a former co-worker.

Judge Wendy Beetlestone granted an extension until June 21 for the defendants to respond to Jennifer Neill’s claims that DeBella repeatedly sexually harassed and groped her when the two worked together.

InsideRadio reports the defendants and the plaintiffs sought the extension for two reasons. First, attorneys for Neill amended their complaint on March 23, adding an additional party. Second, iHeartMedia and Total Traffic and Weather Network, for whom Neill apparently worked when she began contributing traffic reports to DeBella’s show, filed Chapter 11 on March 14. Extending the response deadline gives Beasley and DeBella sufficient time to respond to the new developments.

Neill, who served as DeBella’s sidekick on the show between 2010 and 2016, names about 30 instances of improper verbal and physical conduct in the lawsuit. She joined the station as a traffic reporter in 2002.

Known as “Jen Posner” on the show, Neill contends in the suit that DeBella, now 66, grabbed her breasts on several occasions during her time at WMGK, and repeatedly asked her to perform oral sex on him, among other inappropriate behaviors.

Additionally, she says in the suit that DeBella pressed his groin against her multiple times, and once put her hand on his genital area. DeBella also allegedly referred to Neill as “Bitch” in the WMGK office, the lawsuit claims.