Amy Robach and TJ Holmes get ready to play the race card in potential lawsuit against ABC to keep jobs
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ABC may be facing legal trouble if T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach are fired or forced out of their anchor positions, according to reports. The two have, reportedly, retained top-notch attorneys, and if there is a lawsuit, race may be a factor.
As per TMZ, TJ and Amy still don't know why they were abruptly removed from the air a month ago after their romantic relationship came to light on ABC. They are said to be perplexed and upset over why ABC News management initially assured staff members that there would be no disciplinary action before changing its position.
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According to TMZ, Robach has retained one of Hollywood's top civil attorneys, Andrew Brettler, while Holmes has retained Eric George, a celebrity attorney with vast expertise representing celebrities. According to TMZ's sources, if ABC fires Holmes and Robach, the attorneys are prepared to file a lawsuit, and one of the claims will be racial discrimination. According to the same source, the couple's attorneys may ask ABC, if the channel has ever fired or disciplined two White consenting adults on equal footing based on the morals or conduct clause?
Since a Black and a White anchor was involved in the affair, it's possible, that ABC used the morals clause for the first time in this instance. The sources further asserted that serious harm may result if the network's discipline destroyed their reputations and careers.
As per PEOPLE, the co-anchors of the news program "have not been terminated," but there are still uncertainties about whether they will resume their on-air duties as ABC looks into their relationship. "There are no negotiations about their future," the source says. "ABC is completing their investigation." The source continues, "While it is unlikely they will return in the capacity they were in — the longer time goes on, it becomes less likely they will return — there are still open lines of communication and further discussions are being had about what will happen."
Holmes, who has a daughter with Marilee Fiebig, filed for divorce from her late last year (2021) after having an affair with co-anchor Amy Robach. Holmes reportedly hired Robert H Moses to represent him in court during his divorce proceedings with Fiebig.
Marilee Fiebig, the separated spouse of TJ Holmes, has spoken out for the first time since it was revealed that her husband had a high-profile affair with co-anchor Amy Robach. Fiebig made the public statement via her divorce lawyer, Stephanie Lehman, according to Newsweek. Her lawyer Lehman stated: “During the holiday season and in light of the challenging times, Marilee’s sole focus has remained on the overall best interest of her 9-year-old daughter [Sabine].” The lawyer added, “Fiebig has been working with Holmes’ counsel to move [Fiebig and Holmes’] divorce forward privately, expeditiously, and as amicably as possible. Notwithstanding, we continue to be disappointed by TJ’s lack of discretion, respect, and sensitivity toward Marilee and the party’s daughter.”