In a significant legal development, Tyler Adkins, a former assistant at NBCUniversal, has initiated a lawsuit against the company and several executives, claiming wrongful termination linked to his whistleblowing on alleged criminal activities.
Tyler Adkins alleges he was fired after reporting NBCUniversal executive Chris Herzberger's suspected illegal and unethical behaviors, including sexual exploitation, Daily Mail reported.
The lawsuit, filed in the LA County Superior Court, details accusations against Chris Herzberger, Senior Vice President at Universal Theatrical Group, along with other NBCUniversal staff. Adkins claims his dismissal followed his reports of Herzberger’s disturbing actions, both personally and professionally.
Adkins, 27, describes a complex situation starting with a personal and professional relationship with Herzberger that began in 2021. He contends that Herzberger used his position to coerce Adkins into a sexual relationship under the threat of career damage.
This relationship, according to Adkins, unveiled Herzberger's potentially criminal discussions about sexual conduct with minors, discovered through messages on apps like Grindr and Telegram.
Upon discovering these messages, Adkins took immediate action by reporting Herzberger to the Los Angeles Police Department, which led to the seizure of Herzberger's phone, laptop, and iPad after a warranted search. Adkins also reported these findings to NBCUniversal’s HR department, hoping for a supportive response.
However, the response was far from supportive. Shortly after his HR report, Adkins found himself subjected to what he describes as a “relentless campaign of retaliation,” orchestrated by his superiors at NBCUniversal.
Universal Theatrical Group allegedly retaliated against Adkins by terminating him from his role, supposedly for budgetary reasons. Lowe Cunningham, Vice President of Creative Development and Production, communicated this decision and cited fiscal constraints as the reason for Adkins' dismissal.
Before his dismissal, Adkins had secured his position under Marco Pennette, who was then an executive producer, beginning in April of the same year he was terminated. The lawsuit challenges the stated fiscal reasons for his firing, arguing that the budget had already allocated provisions for Adkins' role.
In seeking justice through legal means, Adkins is now pursuing compensatory, punitive, and other forms of damages. His claims against NBCUniversal and the involved executives include sexual battery, retaliation, quid pro quo sexual harassment, and fostering a hostile work environment.
Furthermore, Adkins’ legal team argues that he was intentionally misclassified as an independent contractor, which complicated his employment rights and compensation. This alleged misclassification forms a part of the wider legal battle he is now engaged in.
The emotional and professional toll on Adkins has been significant. A detective involved in the initial investigations into Herzberger’s conduct reportedly told Adkins that he had “kicked a hornet’s nest” by bringing these issues to light within NBCUniversal.
During the conversation where Cunningham informed Adkins of his termination, he allegedly described Adkins as “collateral damage” in an admittedly “unfair” situation, highlighting the complex interplay of corporate interests and individual rights.
Lisa Noveck, representing Adkins, expressed to DailyMail.com a determined pursuit of justice, stating, “[He was] fired for making this report almost immediately thereafter. Our goal is to pursue this matter and obtain justice for all involved.” This statement underscores the gravity of the allegations and the resolve of Adkins’ legal team to address the alleged wrongs.
The case of Tyler Adkins vs. NBCUniversal not only sheds light on his grievances but also raises questions about the mechanisms in place within large corporations to protect employees from illegal practices and retaliation.
As the lawsuit progresses, industry observers and legal experts are closely watching how NBCUniversal will respond to these serious allegations and what this case might mean for corporate accountability and employee safety in Hollywood and beyond.
The outcome of this lawsuit could potentially influence how HR departments across various industries manage complaints and protect whistleblowers from retaliation, especially in cases involving high-ranking executives.
