Mancow Files Lawsuit Against his Former Boss:
Michael J. Young is representing Erich Muller, the radio personality and Chicago-based shock jock known as Mancow, in a lawsuit for emotional distress. The lawsuit has been filed against Muller’s former boss, Marv Nyren. Muller was prompted to file the suit when his current employer, Cumulus Media Chicago, hired Nyren as a radio executive.
Nyren was Muller’s supervisor when he hosted “Mancow’s Morning Madhouse” on WKQX-FM 101.1. Nyren fired Muller from WKQX and diminished Muller’s reputation in order to prevent Muller from acquiring another job in radio. Muller alleges that during his time at WKQX, Nyren would request after-hours meetings with him. He says that these meeting would take place in locations with “suggestive settings”. Nyren’s “actions and mannerisms” made Muller uncomfortable. Muller refused to continue attending these meetings and was subsequently fired.
The manner of Muller’s firing, which included “outright laughter,” suggested that the action was taken for “personal retribution.” Following Muller’s departure, advertisers were sent “raw, spoiled rotten, and bloody meat,” representing Muller (Madcow) as a “dead cow”. Also, Muller’s termination was celebrated with a broadcast of a lewd on-air skit. The nature of Muller’s firing and Nyren’s actions surrounding the termination led to a lawsuit filed by Muller in 2007. The suit was settled in 2011.
Allegations:
Muller alleges that Nyren withheld relevant information, including the previous lawsuit Muller filed against Nyren, when he acquired the job with Cumulus. He also allegedly misrepresented his relationship with Muller, stating that the two had a “great working relationship”. Following Nyren’s hiring, Muller has “suffered both physically and emotionally,” and has sought medical attention as a result of the position he finds himself in following Nyren’s hiring.
Muller has expressed his intentions to fulfill his contract with Cumulus and has stated that he is happy in his current job with the station.
Michael J. Young is an attorney in Westchester, Illinois. Contact our office at 708-410-0090 for a free, no obligation case review.