What was the recent lawsuit involving Chauncy Glover? Details explored as CBS anchor passes away at 39
Emmy-winning news anchor Chauncy Glover died at the age of 39, Los Angeles’ KCAL announced on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The exact date and circumstances surrounding his death were not made public.
Sherry and Robert Glover, on behalf of the Chauncy Glover's family, released a statement sharing that they were "devastated by the unimaginable loss."
"He was more than a son and brother — he was a beacon of light in our lives and a true hero to his community," the statement read. "His talent, warmth, and vision left an imprint on everyone who knew him, and the world is dimmer without him."
Hailing from Alabama, Glover was a well-known newscaster who had won many awards for his work, including three Emmy awards. He worked with ABC's KTRK-TV for eight years before shifting to KCAL-TV in October 2023.
However, his hiring was met with resistance. A former newscaster, Jeff Vaughn, sued the station for discrimination in July 2024 for hiring Glover. Vaughn claimed that KCAL fired him because he was an "older, white, heterosexual male."
Jeff Vaughn's lawsuit claimed KCAL-TV hired Chauncy Glover despite his "minimal" experience
According to Jeff Vaughn's lawsuit, he worked with KCAL and KCBS for eight years before he was fired in September 2023. He alleged that he was never given a reason for terminating his employment. The suit claimed that "it was obvious" why he was dismissed.
Vaughn's complaint claimed that the Californian news station replaced him with Chauncy Glover, "a younger minority news anchor," because he (Vaughn) was "an experienced, older white, heterosexual male."
According to a July 2024 report by Complex, the suit also named Wendy McMahon, the CEO of CBS News, who has been praised for her DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives. He claimed she promoted women and people of color "on both sides of the camera and in leadership positions."
The filing claimed that Vaughn was intentionally left out of September 9/11 anniversary coverage, which included a billboard and a commercial. He alleged it included "racial or gender minorities."
The lawsuit alleged that those who were auditioned at the station to replace him were all "younger, racial minorities." It further claimed that KCAL-TV eventually hired Chauncy Glover, a black man with "minimal" experience.
“The suit contends that Glover — who is Black — had 'minimal’ experience, though Glover has worked in TV news since graduating from college in 2007,” Variety reported on July 3, 2024.
Complex reported that Vaughn was represented by the conservative non-profit firm America First Legal. According to the firm's website, its mission is to put an end to "radical left’s anti-jobs, anti-freedom, anti-faith, anti-borders, anti-police, and anti-American crusade."
Per a March 2024 article by the New York Times, the group was founded by Stephen Miller, a senior policy adviser to former President Trump. The publication claimed that the firm is known to target DEI programs, with hundreds of lawsuits filed.
Jeff Vaughn sought $5 million in damages in addition to his legal fees and other relief.
Besides KCAL and KTRK-TV in Houston (ABC affiliate), Glover worked with WDIV-TV in Detroit, WJAX-TV in Jacksonville, and WTVM-TV in Columbus. The anchor started the Chauncy Glover Project as a way to help young men, especially Black and Latino men, stay out of prison through education, life-skill programs, and engagement with police. Glover is survived by his family.