Paramount Pictures is facing two lawsuits filed by former employees who claim the company ignored allegations of sexual harassment and assault by a senior executive. The complaints, filed on July 9 and 14 in California state courts, detail disturbing incidents of abuse that allegedly took place under the supervision of Patrick Smith, a former senior vice president at the studio.
The lawsuits—both filed under the pseudonym “Jane Doe”—accuse Smith of subjecting the women to sexual assault, harassment, and a hostile work environment. According to the complaints, Paramount failed to take appropriate action, allowing the misconduct to continue unchecked. The legal actions further claim the studio created a “code of silence” that punished individuals who attempted to speak out.
Alleged Sexual Assaults and Harassment at Paramount Offices
One of the lawsuits outlines incidents that allegedly took place between 2016 and 2018, with Smith repeatedly assaulting one of the women during their time at Paramount. According to the complaint, in one incident, Smith allegedly entered her office, closed the door, and sexually assaulted her by touching her inappropriately. In another horrifying incident, he reportedly locked her in his car and assaulted her without consent.
The accuser claims the abuse continued throughout her tenure at the company, with Smith allegedly taking her to secluded areas of the studio during work hours and forcing her to perform sexual acts. The situation escalated in 2018, when the woman claims Smith “forcefully anally penetrated” her. The complaint also alleges that when she reported Smith’s behavior to human resources, the company’s response was inadequate, and Smith later hinted at retribution against those who spoke out.
Retaliation and Hostile Work Environment
The second lawsuit filed on July 9 details a similar pattern of inappropriate behavior. This accuser, who worked at Paramount between 2017 and 2019, claims that Smith often made sexual comments and advances, including one instance where he suggested they would have sex during a conference in Nevada. When she rejected his advances, Smith allegedly retaliated by orchestrating a significant demotion of her account, which negatively impacted her career.
Both lawsuits allege that Paramount failed to act on multiple complaints of misconduct against Smith, despite prior incidents at other companies where Smith held executive positions. The lawsuits claim that Smith used his position of power to manipulate and intimidate those around him, making promises of promotions in exchange for compliance with his inappropriate demands.
Paramount’s Responsibility and Alleged Inaction
The lawsuits argue that Paramount Pictures enabled an unsafe environment by failing to implement adequate safety measures to protect employees from abuse and harassment. Both women assert that the company did not take their complaints seriously and allowed Smith to continue his behavior without consequence.
The claims suggest that Paramount had knowledge of Smith’s history of sexual misconduct, yet the company allegedly allowed him to remain in a position of power for years. As detailed in the legal filings, Smith is also accused of making derogatory comments about female colleagues, including claiming that one employee’s behavior was due to her age and hormonal changes.
Legal and Industry Implications
This lawsuit sheds light on the pervasive issues of sexual harassment and misconduct within the entertainment industry, specifically in major studios like Paramount Pictures. As more cases like these emerge, the question of accountability in corporate settings becomes increasingly pressing. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for how companies address and handle allegations of sexual misconduct moving forward.
How Survivors Can Seek Justice
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or assault in the workplace, it is important to understand your rights and options. At Helping Survivors, we are dedicated to providing support and connecting you with trusted legal resources to help you navigate the path forward.
You do not have to face the aftermath of sexual harm alone. Whether you are experiencing harassment in your current job or have been impacted by abuse in the past, we are here to guide you through your next steps. Reach out to Helping Survivors for assistance with legal support, resources, and advice.
