‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ Sued Over Allegations Of Sexual Harassment
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Bill Maher's talk show is being sued by a former female employee who claims she was the victim of sexual harassment.
According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, a woman named Janet Van Ham is suing the show and HBO for sexual harassment in violation of the Federal Housing & Employment Act, wrongful termination, and being retaliated against as a whistleblower.
Van Ham claims she was employed by the show for 16 years, and was subjected to a "hostile work environment" on the set. Specifically, she describes asking HBO and the producers of the series for "assistance with the routine sexual and physical harassment she suffered from male union workers."
Bill Maher's Show Accused Of Allowing Sexual Harassment Of 16-Year Veteran
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In the lawsuit, she accuses RTWBH producers of taking advantage of the 2020 Covid disruption of the show to eliminate her position. After re-opening production, she claims that all the staff was hired back except her.
The filing lays out several instances where Van Ham was the subject of alleged harassment. In November 2013, she attended the show's private wrap party and says an "intoxicated" crew member "in front of everyone, and begins hanging on her body." Her lawyers continued, "Very uncomfortable, Van Ham ducks around (his) advances to complete her duties for the night as RTWBM’s “set photographer.”
In 2014, she describes another incident with the same crew member saying he "wraps his arms around (her) chest and holds her in a vice" and holds her "tight as he kisses the top of her head."
Victim Describes Stunning Details Of Alleged Harassment On 'Bill Maher' Set
At the time, the lawsuit notes, "Van Ham panics, as she fights to stand up. In the ensuing struggle, Van Ham’s chair gets caught between him and the long table. The last thing Van Ham remembers is the loud screech of her chair, and then she stops retaining memories." Shockingly, after reporting the incident and being assured she would be protected, the same man was allegedly let back near Van Ham and whispered to her..."I hear I make you uncomfortable..."
“It is so hard being a woman on this set. If you say something, you might get fired," Bill Maher's stylist allegedly said to Van Ham.
In the end, the lawsuit claims the man was placed on a list of people not allowed on the set, but he continued to gain access. Van Ham states that the stage manager chose to permit him to access the set because he didn't want to be accused of "racial profiling." The person is "African American" according to the lawsuit.
Fast forward to the Covid outbreak, and the lawsuit alleges, "In 2020, during the lockdowns, production moves to Bill Maher’s personal home using a barebones crew. MAHER LIVE continues to pay all employees of the RTWBM set, except for Van Ham." She believes this was HBO and Maher Live taking "Covid as an opportunity to retaliate against their whistleblower Van Ham."
The lawsuit is seeking "damages, including front pay, back pay, benefits, and emotional distress."
Also, she is asking the court to order the show to reinstate her position on the show.
