In a recent development, Maria Ryan, a board-certified nurse practitioner and former hospital executive, has filed a lawsuit against billionaire station owner and Trump supporter John Catsimatides, alleging gender discrimination and a hostile work environment during her tenure as co-host of Rudy Giuliani's radio show on 77 WABC.
Ryan, who has previously denied being romantically involved with Giuliani, claims that Catsimatides marginalized her, ignored her suggestions, and refused to compensate her fairly for her appearances on the radio show.
According to The Independent, Ryan's lawsuit alleges that Catsimatides, also known as "Johnny Cats," implemented a campaign to undermine her position before firing her via text message for complaining about the work environment. Ryan's suit further claims that she was subjected to ongoing ridicule and humiliation during her tenure at the station.
The lawsuit, filed by Ryan in New York state court, states that when Catsimatides finally agreed to start paying Ryan, he offered her $200 per episode, an amount significantly lower than her male counterparts and industry standards. Ryan's suit also alleges that she brought her complaints about the discrimination and hostile work environment at WABC to station President Chad Lopez, who reportedly told her that "John makes all the decisions and John is a Greek man and you are a woman," implying there was no point in standing up to him.
Ryan's attorney, Matthew Blit, has stated that his client emphatically denies any affair, sexual or otherwise, with Giuliani. He further stated that facing discrimination is extremely challenging, especially for a person in a powerful position, and that Ryan is bravely taking on a very powerful person and entity.
In response to Ryan's allegations, Giuliani's security chief, Michael Ragusa, who said he had been authorized to comment on the former mayors behalf, stated that Dr. Marias involvement with the mayor is purely professional, and with her extensive and impressive medical background, she also oversees his healthcare.
Ryan's lawsuit also alleges that she faced false accusations of policy violations, such as playing unauthorized music on air claims she alleges were unsubstantiated and a pretext to undermine her role. The suit further claims that Ryan was consistently treated as a lesser contributor compared to her male counterparts, with her suggestions often ignored in team meetings and discussions.
Ryan's suit also alleges that she faced disparaging remarks about her qualifications, with Lopez questioning the legitimacy of her academic degrees. It alleges she was compelled to provide all four of her degrees to Lopez to validate her credentials as a 'real' medical provider, an experience that was both humiliating and demoralizing.
Ryan began appearing as a guest on WABCs The Rudy Giuliani Show in the spring of 2021, according to her lawsuit. Her contributions focused on significant healthcare topics and discussions on the pandemic. The suit claims listeners appreciated the effective dynamic between Giuliani and Ryan, who railed against the Covid vaccine and instead touted hydroxychloroquine, a livestock dewormer, as a treatment.
Ryan's suit claims that Giuliani, who has faced his own hostile workplace allegations, went to bat for Ryan with Catsimatidis and Lopez on several occasions. However, the two rejected the former mayors legitimate complaints about the discriminatory treatment of his co-host, and instead retaliated against him by suspending and ultimately terminating his employment.
Ryan's suit alleges Catsimatidis and Lopez committed three separate violations of the New York City Human Rights Law: discrimination based upon sex, hostile work environment based upon sex, and retaliation. She is demanding compensatory damages, punitive damages, back pay, front pay, attorneys fees, and a court order prohibiting Catsimatidis and Lopez from engaging in the conduct alleged in her lawsuit.
As of now, Catsamatidis, Lopez, and WABC have not yet filed a formal response to Ryans allegations. The unfolding of this case will undoubtedly be watched closely, as it raises significant questions about workplace discrimination and the treatment of women in the media industry.
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