Amazon MGM rejects Criminal harassment claims as meritless
Amazon MGM has filed a legal response to a hostile work environment complaint from former production assistant Ijaaz Noohu. The company's lawyers call him an opportunist and deny his claims, including that showrunner Ed Brubaker pointed a gun at him. They also suggest the timing of the suit is suspicious, coming before the show's press circuit.
The legal filing marks the first formal response from Amazon MGM since the complaint surfaced two weeks ago. Beyond denying the firearm allegation, the company's attorneys emphasize that no one present reported such an incident, particularly in an industry still sensitive to weapons safety following the Rust tragedy. They also highlight the twenty-month gap between the alleged events and the lawsuit's filing.
Brubaker's background spans decades in comics before his transition to television writing, including work on the Amazon series Too Old To Die Young. The filing's mention of an upcoming press circuit suggests Criminal may be nearing release, making the legal dispute's timing particularly notable for the production's promotional plans.
This dispute could influence how studios handle on-set harassment complaints, particularly when they involve high-profile creative figures. The case may also affect industry norms around reporting protocols and the credibility of lower-level staff claims against established showrunners. Observers may watch whether the legal strategy of attacking the accuser's motives discourages others from coming forward, or whether it prompts studios to strengthen oversight of workplace conduct on productions.