01-27-2022
Michelle Gotthelf, the former digital editor-in-chief of the New York Post, filed a lawsuit alleging that she was fired from the publication after disclosing to her new boss that she had been sexually harassed by a top editor. She alleged her firing came after enduring years of retaliation because she had complained about the editor, Col Allan.
Per Gotthelf, News Corp, owner of the New York Post, removed Allan from his job as editor-in-chief after she reported he had sexually propositioned her after years of harassment. CNN spoke to a staffer who confirmed hearing Allan make sexually inappropriate comments in the workplace and berate Gotthelf. The Post announced Allan’s leaving as a retirement. However, Allan returned to the paper as a consultant two years ago and stayed through early 2021. Gotthelf alleged that his inappropriate behavior resumed. The Post’s current editor, Kevin Poole, allegedly started asking Gotthelf questions about what happened between her and Allan. Gotthelf told him that Allan harassed her and sexually propositioned her. Gotthelf believes this disclosure led her to subsequent firing.
The Post and News Corp responded briefly, asserting “Any suggestion of wrongdoing related to the management changes announced today is meritless.” Gotthelf described Allen as close with Rupert Murdoch, News Corp owner. He had worked for other papers owned by Murdoch. The company had promised big changes following the removal of Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly several years ago for sexual harassment. The company brought Allan back despite allegations of harassment against him by Gotthelf and another previous plaintiff, Sandra Guzman, in 2009.