Upcoming Amazon series Criminal hit with hostile work environment suit

This is per THR, reporting on a new lawsuit from Ijaaz Noohu, who worked as a PA on the series. In his description, Noohu paints a picture of Brubaker as nightmare to work for: The lawsuit describes “repeated and pervasive” sexual harassment, including “making comments about running his hands through Noohu’s hair, joking about rape and rubbing Noohu’s back.” Meanwhile, Brubaker is also alleged to have made a running joke out of Noohu’s ethnic background:

Separately, Brubaker directed “demeaning stereotypes” about curry, comments invoking the “Tiger Mom” trope, references to Never Have I Ever, and comments about Noohu’s presumed facility with math at the production assistant, a Sri Lankan American filmmaker, according to the complaint. Noohu was also frequently asked whether he supports Hamas, the lawsuit says.

But Noohu’s lawsuit—which also alleges that his end date on the series was moved up after he asked for a promotion and raised concerns about Brubaker’s treatment of him—isn’t aimed directly at the comics writer/showrunner. It accuses Amazon and Big Indie of ignoring Brubaker’s actions, up to accusing executive producer Phillip Barnett of literally saying “Don’t say that in front of me,” and “La la, I’m not hearing that” when faced with complaints. (Not, apparently, the bold and effective legal strategy Barnett might have thought.) As such, Noohu is holding the whole production apparatus of Criminal to blame, accusing all involved of contributing to the hostile work environment.

Neither Brubaker or Amazon have publicly responded to Noohu’s lawsuit at present.