Former Anchor Williams Is Suing Kiro-TV

Former KIRO-TV anchorwoman Nerissa Williams is suing the station over an incident that led to her departure from Channel 7 last year.

The lawsuit, being filed in King County Superior Court, alleges wrongful discharge, infliction of emotional and physical distress, wrongful denial of medical leave, negligent supervision, retaliation, and sex, race and disability discrimination. Williams is African American.

The defendants are KIRO-TV, owner A.H. Belo Corp. of Dallas and Marty Haag, the company's vice president for news, who was acting news director at KIRO last spring.

The suit alleges that Haag was verbally abusive to Williams during a newscast critique on April 23, 1995. The suit contends Haag lashed out at Williams when she asked a question. Haag later "allowed a male employee to ask a question, to which Haag responded rationally and courteously," the suits says.

As a result of the incident, the suit says, Williams has suffered from hives and subsequent discoloration and disfigurement, as well as general distress.

About two months later, the station terminated her contract, the suit says, and told Williams her pay and status had been reduced.

Williams' suit further contends that previously KIRO-TV repeatedly passed her over for anchor promotions and prominent news coverage, favoring instead white males and white females. Some of those alleged incidents occurred under different ownership.

KIRO-TV yesterday issued a written statement from vice president and general manager Glenn Wright that said the station "is committed to hiring and promoting women and minorities. We're proud of our diversity, not only in on-air positions, but in other key management positions as well. We do not discriminate."

Williams was a reporter, anchor and talk-show host at KIRO-TV for about nine years. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages, reinstatement and back pay.