Former co-host of radio personality Eric Ferguson accuses him of inappropriate behavior
CHICAGO - A third woman accused popular Chicago radio host Eric Ferguson of inappropriate behavior in court documents filed Tuesday.
Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM, filed documents to the Cook County Circuit Court calling Ferguson the "serial abuser of women" at The Mix.
McGurren worked at the Hubbard Radio Chicago station for more than two decades before leaving in 2020. Upon her departure, McGurren posted a video to social media claiming "the truth will come out."
Her story of being the victim of harassment was added this week to an existing lawsuit filed in May by a former Mix co-worker Cynthia DeNicolo, who claimed Ferguson coercered her to perform sexual favors for him, which she gave into for fear of losing her job.
"For many years, Ferguson has grossly abused his power, and his conduct was the major reason the station became a hostile working environment," McGurren said.
In a note to employees Tuesday, Jeff England, vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago, said Ferguson would not be on air through the end of the month, according to Feder’s report. England also said in the note, "we do not agree with Melissa’s characterization of events."
McGurren’s statements were added to a lawsuit previously filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, a former assistant producer on Ferguson’s show, Feder reported. According to DeNicolo’s lawsuit, Ferguson "coerced sexual activity" and made "unwanted demands for oral sex." DeNicolo was fired May 1, 2020, and in the lawsuit alleges Ferguson was behind her firing.
A third woman, former sales employee Kristen Mori, said in a court document that Ferguson groped her at a station Christmas party in 2003, Feder reported. That statement, along with other allegations of misconduct, was included in DeNicolo’s lawsuit.