VIACOM AGREES TO SETTLE FOR $7.2 MILLION IN INTERNSHIP LAWSUIT
Last week, media giant Viacom, Inc., agreed to pay about $7.2 million to end the class-action lawsuit filed by a former MTV intern, who alleged that the Company failed to pay minimum wage. The deal encompasses interns who worked at the Company’s New York and California offices at certain time periods. The average settlement payment to each claimant will be approximately $505 for each academic semester in which they were an intern at Viacom, with a cap at $1,010. Although the Company agreed to pay $7.2 million, it still must be approved by the court. As such, U.S. Magistrate Gabriel W. Gorenstein asked for more financial details of the proposed settlement before he could approve. If approved, this will be the highest settlement amount awarded to interns to resolve labor claims. This Firm will continue to monitor the developments in this case.