A law firm representing actor Morgan Freeman sent a letter Tuesday to CNN calling for a retraction and an apology following an article claiming Freeman sexually harassed multiple women.
The CNN article named three people out of eight who claimed Freeman either sexually harassed or behaved inappropriately toward them. The letter from Freeman’s lawyers claim all three named sources’ stories and experiences were mischaracterized in one way or another.
The letter, obtained by the Hollywood Reporter, also claimed CNN’s article was defamatory toward Freeman.
“CNN has inflicted serious on his reputation and career,” the letter from the legal team representing Freeman read. “At a minimum, CNN immediately needs to issue a retraction and apologize to Mr. Freeman through the same channels, and with the same level of attention, that it used to unjustly attack him on May 24.”
CNN’s Chloe Melas, who co-authored the CNN article ousting Freeman, claimed the world-renowned actor sexually harassed her last year. But the law firm says there is no evidence to support her claims, despite video evidence of a comment she says was directed toward her.
The second individual mentioned in the article, Tyra Martin, has gone on the record twice since it was published saying CNN misrepresented what she said, the law firm said. The third, Lori McCreary, told CNN that Freeman never harassed her.
The letter from the Irell & Manella LLP also asked CNN to issue an apology and retraction to McCreary.
“The unfounded accusations made by Mr. Freeman’s lawyer are disappointing and are difficult to reconcile with Mr. Freeman’s own public statements in the aftermath of the story,” CNN said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “ CNN stands by its reporting and will respond forcefully to any attempt by Mr. Freeman or his representatives to intimidate us from covering this important public issue.”
After the report was published of the alleged sexual misconduct, Freeman apologized in a statement to the Associated Press for the possibility that he ever made anyone feel uncomfortable by his actions or comments.
