It's been a turbulent week for Don Imus. While the controversial radio host reached an August 14 settlement with his former employer, CBS Radio, he also faces a lawsuit from a member of the Rutgers University women's basketball team.
The settlement allows the 67-year-old shock jock to return to broadcasting at a different station, four months after making a racist and sexist remark about the Rutgers team members. It also pre-empts Imus' threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Imus had signed a five-year, $12 million contract prior to his April 12 dismissal. Industry analysts say Imus will likely soon return to the airwaves, and he has reportedly talked with several broadcasters about a possible comeback. Meanwhile, a member of the Rutgers women's basketball team has sued Don Imus and CBS, claiming the radio personality's comments damaged her reputation.
Filed August 14 in New York state Supreme Court, Kia Vaughan's lawsuit alleges slander and defamation of character. The action, believed to be the first by a player in the case, alleges Imus and his former co-host Bernard McGuirk, are legally responsible for damage done to her character and reputation.
The lawsuit also named Imus' employers CBS Corp. and CBS Radio. There is no dollar amount listed in the suit. On April 4, Imus referred to the Rutgers players as "nappy-headed hos" on his nationally-syndicated program. He was fired shortly afterward.
Don Imus' attorney did not respond to an August 14 phone call seeking comment. There was no listing for McGuirk in the New York area. A spokeswoman for CBS Radio declined to comment, and CBS network spokesman Dana McClintock did not immediately return a message. Rutgers women's basketball program spokeswoman Stacey Brann said that the university had no comment on the lawsuit and she didn't know whether other players had sued.