According to allegations in Cook County circuit court, a terrible racist incident has taken place. Was someone hurt or killed because they were black? Were they denied a job, or a promotion, or an apartment? Or did they have to endure the horror of an “insensitive” remark? Nope, none of the above. But somebody was dissatisfied with the workmanship on their $3 million dollar mansion—and since they’re black they’re suing for “discrimination” and “racism.” That somebody is none other than Chicago news anchor Diann Burns.  According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times: 

The most damaging public-relations fiasco to hit WBBM-Channel 2 in years soon could be coming to an end.

Talks are in the works to settle the dispute involving Diann Burns, the star news anchor at the CBS-owned station, and the Chicago contractor who built her $3 million Lincoln Park mansion.

Burns and her husband, agent Marc Watts, sued Metzler/Hull Development Corp., claiming the company performed substandard work because they are African American. The contractor filed a counterclaim against Burns and Watts, saying allegations of racism are “untrue, malicious, defamatory and despicable.”

Both parties are scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Monday before Judge Daniel Kelley. Although lawyers for the two sides are keeping mum, a deal could be announced at that time.

While CBS and Channel 2 have nothing to do with the case, the strongly negative public reaction to Burns’ charges since they were filed last year has been a source of ongoing embarrassment.

With its ratings in decline, the station recently replaced Burns’ 10 p.m. co-anchor, Antonio Mora, with Rob Johnson. Critics and viewers alike questioned the move, calling Mora a scapegoat.

To this day, Channel 2 officials have never commented on Burns’ lawsuit.

This entry [Permalink] was posted on Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 at 11:20 am.
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