Merit Street Media controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Former publicist sues Dr. Phil and Merit Street Media for discrimination and wrongful termination
Lawsuit filed
A former publicist, Jerry Sharell, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against television personality Phil McGraw and his media company, Merit Street Media. The suit alleges discrimination and wrongful termination based on sexual orientation. A representative for McGraw denied the allegations. The filing identifies the defendants and the claims but does not state a resolution or outcome.
Former publicist Jerry Sharell filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against television personality Phil McGraw and his media company, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination based on his sexual orientation. McGraw's representative denied the allegations.
Company response
Denial — Merit Street Media
He was not fired for any reason and certainly not because of his sexual orientation
Source excerpt
He alleged that his sexual orientation affected how he was treated after Phil McGraw recruited him to continue working with him following his 2023 departure from CBS.
Sharell filed the complaint Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
is facing a lawsuit from longtime publicist Dr. PhilJerry Sharell, who accused the television personality and his media company of discrimination and wrongful termination.