A CNN spokesperson tells TVNewser the network is “not aware” of a lawsuit over senior international correspondent Arwa Damon allegedly biting two paramedics “in a drunken rage” at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad last month.
The lawsuit was first reported by TMZ, which says Damon and CNN are being sued for $1 million by two EMTs who claim they suffered injuries after Damon became “seriously intoxicated” and “unruly and violent” at the Embassy. The lawsuit claims “CNN knew Damon had a history of becoming drunk and abusive, and had a penchant for violence, even when sober,” according to TMZ.
A CNN spokesperson tells TVNewser: “We are not aware of the alleged lawsuit and therefore have no comment.”
>Update, 2:04 p.m.: “We are aware of the lawsuit and are looking into it,” a CNN spokesperson says.
The New York Post reports Damon apologized for her behavior in an email to U.S. Embassy staff a day after the incident and said she was “beyond embarrassed”:
She said in an e-mail: “It’s been an extremely stressful time, I was exhausted, I had not had proper food all day and clearly miscalculated how my body would handle the alcohol consumed … Needless to say, I am utterly mortified and take full responsibility for my actions, which are inexcusable.”
She added, “I am being filled in on the details of my behavior. I am beyond embarrassed. My actions and words were entirely out of my character, and I hope that everyone can at some point forgive me.”
“So once again, I am apologizing and extending my thanks to all that were involved in ensuring that I am, thankfully, in the end, taken care of and physically at least OK. Everyone was extremely professional and courteous in the face of my unjustified behavior,” she continued.
This morning, Geraldo Rivera weighed in on the Damon news on Twitter:
Morning. I’m a big fan of CNN’s Arwa Damon, bold, courageous and true. Cut her some slack. Covering Baghdad etc could drive anyone to drink.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) August 5, 2014