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'Price Is Right' Model Sues Show, Claims She Was Powerless to Stop Producers' Incessant Sexual Harassment
Image courtesy Lanisha Cole
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"The Price is Right" model Lanisha Cole may have been a "fan favorite" for her beauty and poise as she revealed the actual retail price of household goods and groceries for contestants and viewers, but behind the scenes, a lawsuit filed today alleges Cole was repeatedly sexually harassed by the show's producers.Cole's suit, filed against Freemantle Media North America and producers (not the actors with the same names) Michael G. Richards and Adam Sandler, is "about senior-level men in the entertainment industry exploiting power and control over women by bullying and harassing female talent," explains Cole's attorney, Solomon Gresen, via an email release.
Among the accusations levied against producers in the Pasadena native's complaint include allegations of a hostile work environment and manipulation of personnel policy by Richards that left her deprived of work and shunned by his favoritism for another "Price" model. The 20-page complaint details about a year's worth of such a work climate. Prior to resigning from her job in December 2010, Cole says she was accused of "holding the show hostage" after she filed complaints about her alleged mistreatment at the show.
Other events include a confrontation by producer Sandler in a private changing area while Cole was nearly-nude.
Cole is making the following claims in Los Angeles County Superior Court:
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1. Wrongful Constructive Termination in Violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”)
2. Wrongful Retaliation in Violation of FEHA
3. Wrongful Sexual Harassment in Violation of FEHA
4. Failure to Take Reasonable Steps to Prevent Harassment or Discrimination in Violation of FEHA
5. False imprisonment
6. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
7. Negligent Inflection of Emotion Distress
Cole is seeking a jury trial, and monetary compensation to cover her medical and legal expenses and loss of earnings.
Incidentally, in case anyone was worried show host Drew Carey was part of the shenanigans, Cole's suit does not implicate the funnyman in any way.
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