After Her Raise Was Rejected, This Anchor Lawyered Up

An Erie television news anchor has filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit in federal court, alleging that she has been unfairly treated by her employer. Jennifer Mobilia, an anchor at WJET, is suing Nexstar Media Inc., the parent company of the station. Mobilia claims that she has been paid significantly less than her male co-anchor, Sean Lafferty, despite performing similar duties in hosting the station's weeknight newscasts.

According to the lawsuit, Mobilia makes $63,000 a year, while Lafferty's 2024 salary was $99,000. Mobilia states that she reasonably requested her salary to be increased to $70,000 a year, but this request was denied. The lawsuit further alleges that WJET-TV discriminates against its female news reporters by paying them less than their male counterparts.

The suit also claims that WJET-TV has failed to protect Mobilia from discrimination and a hostile work environment. Mobilia alleges that the station responded to her complaints about discrimination by retaliating against her, including hiring a third evening anchor after telling her there were no funds to increase her salary. She claims to have experienced medical symptoms as a result of the alleged discrimination and hostile work environment.

Mobilia's lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about gender pay disparities in the media industry. The case will likely draw significant attention to the issue of sexual discrimination in the workplace and the treatment of female employees within Nexstar Media Inc. and beyond.

H/T Go Erie