Ed Brubaker sued and accused of Hostile Work Environment on Criminal
Another comic creator is being accused of pretty horrendous behavior. Ijaaz Noohu is seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit against Amazon MGM and Big Indie Pictures for behavior by showrunner Ed Brubaker during the production of the television show Criminal. Amazon MGM, MGM Studios, Big Indie, Ed Bubaker, and Phillip Barnett are all named as defendants. They are being accused of turning a blind on to the hostile work environment and Brubaker with harassment.
Noohu says he was subjected to sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, assault, and battery, and more by Brubaker in the 28 page document.
The lawsuit’s “complaint for damages” lists out:
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT / HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT BASED ON
SEX (FEHA, CAL. GOV’T CODE § 12940(J)); - RACIAL / NATIONAL ORIGIN HARASSMENT / HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT (FEHA, CAL. GOV’T CODE § 12940(J));
- RELIGIOUS HARASSMENT / DISCRIMINATION (FEHA, CAL. GOV’T CODE § 12940);
- FAILURE TO PREVENT HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND RETALIATION (FEHA, CAL. GOV’T CODE § 12940(K));
- DISPARATE TREATMENT / DISCRIMINATION (FEHA, CAL. GOV’T CODE § 12940(A));
- INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS;
- ASSAULT;
- BATTERY;
- NEGLIGENCE / BREACH OF DUTY OF CARE;
- DEFAMATION;
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT NOT MOTIVATED BY SEXUAL DESIRE
(CAL. GOV’T CODE § 12940(J)(4)(C)); AND, - AIDING AND ABETTING HARASSMENT (CAL. GOV’T CODE §12940(I)).
Noohu is asking for a jury trial.
In one incident Burbaker pointed a working firearm at Noohu’s face and pulled the trigger. That incident was witnessed by a senior producer who ignored the event according the the lawsuit. Brubaker subjected Noohu to “repeated and pervasive” sexual harassment including running his hands through Noohu’s hair, joking about rape, and rubbing Noohu’s back. In one incident, Burbaker directed Noohu to a “bikini barista” establishment. Brubaker is also being accused of being demeaning to Noohu with comments about curry, invoking “Tiger Mom” tropes, referencing to Never Have I Ever, stereotypes about math, and being asked if Noohu supports Hamas, and labelling him as “Indian” even though he’s Sri Lankan American.
Noohu, who has 14 years in the film industry, was hired as a production assistant for Brubaker in February 2023. Noohu state his exit date was moved up after asking for a promotion and he was barred from the set and stripped of equipment benefits in retaliation for challenging the misconduct. His employment ended in September 2024. He wasn’t credited on the production.
The lawsuit claims Amazon MGM and Big Indie didn’t investigate the alleged harassment and discrimination and executive producer Phillip Barnett directed individuals to not document complaints on occasions.
Brubaker is a praised and award-winning comic creator. Criminal is a comic series by Brubaker, along with Sean Phillips, and was ordered by Prime Video in January 2024. The series has won multiple awards and was original published by Marvel’s Icon imprint and since has moved to Image Comics. Brubaker reteams with Sean Phillips for Unfinished Tales, a graphic novel which has been announced for release in November from Image Comics
You can read the full 28 page filing below:
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