CNN worker claims in lawsuit he was fired for wearing unusual outfits at work

IT’S a sad world when wearing colourful trackies or a sombrero gets you sacked. That’s what one worker alleges happened to him.

Lehmo and Shura Taft in trackies for Tracky Dack Day. Picture: Tim Carrafa

HE FOUGHT CNN’s dress code and lost.

A gay ​ex-staffer from New York claims he was discriminated against and eventually fired for his colourful clothing and sexual orientation, according to a US$65 million (AUD$70 million) lawsuit.

​William ​Kane claims that a supervisor, John Silva, took exception to his colourful garments and recommended that he consider a position in the makeup or entertainment departments, according to court papers.

After filing complaints against a slew of higher-ups, Kane claims that he was transferred out of his studio post, where he worked directly with the network’s biggest names, to a lower-profile gig, and was finally sacked last July.

Too casual? A CNN worker alleges in a lawsuit is dress code at work got him sacked.

The microphone technician ​says ​in the suit ​that several on-air personalities objected to his treatment and came to his defence after Silva began to harangue him.

The suit asserts that Erin Burnett told him he was the “best-dressed man” who worked on her show.

But sources told Page Six in 2012 that Burnett was the one actually trying to institute a dress code on the set because Kane’s wild wardrobe didn’t comport with her show’s intellectual tone.

The sartorial slugfest kicked off in 2011, when Silva offered Kane a US$100 (AUD$108) T.J. Maxx shopping spree “bribe” if he promised to change out of a blue track suit — because Piers Morgan objected to it.

But Kane said he went straight to the​ since-canned host, who denied making a complaint.

Piers Morgan reportedly told Kane he ‘loved’ his signature track suits.

“Piers, I was told that my track suits are a distraction to you,” Kane recalls telling Morgan.

“I never said that,” Morgan replied, according to the suit. “I love your track suits. I want Billy to wear the brightest-coloured clothing when working on my show.”

Kane said Silva also objected to a full mariachi suit — complete with sombrero — that he donned in October 2012. The confrontation came after Kane officially informed Silva that he was gay after keeping his orientation a secret for 11 years at the network.

Silva told Kane that the Mexican-flavoured ensemble was “too flamboyant for a male in our department” and that he should consider a post in the makeup or entertainment department.

“Plaintiff did not appreciate being called ‘flamboyant’ and asked to transfer to the entertainment or make-up department nor has anyone ever called him or referred to him as flamboyant prior to telling Silva that he was gay,” the suit states. “Plaintiff refused to be stereotyped and accept a transfer to the ‘Entertainment or Make-Up Department.’”

But while the supervisor bristled, Kane said ​correspondents like Farid ​Zakaria and Christiane Amanpour went wild for the getup, according to court papers.

Zakaria even put on the wide-brimmed hat, and Amanpour insisted on a picture with Kane that she later posted to Twitter, according to court papers.

¡ARRIBA! The lovely Billy with our studio crew arrived on set in style today pic.twitter.com/jlYtVL8u

— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) October 18, 2012

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: ¡ARRIBA! The lovely Billy with our studio crew arrived on set in style today pic.twitter.com/jlYtVL8u & mdash; Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) October 18, 2012

“Isn’t this suit incredible?” Zakaria said, according to court papers.

CNN host Anderson Cooper entered the fray last year when Silva again demanded that Kane change out of one of his signature track suits, papers allege.

Cooper overheard Silva angrily making the request and inquired about the situation directly to Kane.

“What is going on here?” Cooper asked.

“Mr. Cooper stated he was confused as to why the Plaintiff was told by Defendant Silva that his clothing attire was inappropriate,” the suit states — but Silva bolted before Cooper could begin asking questions.

Kane said he was eventually booted from his work on shows and demoted to an entry-level position despite having worked for more than a decade at CNN.

He said he was sacked last July and he is now suing for $65 million, alleging civil rights violations including discrimination, retaliation and harassment.

“We have not seen the lawsuit,” a CNN rep told The Post, noting that Kane’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints were dismissed.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as CNN worker claims in lawsuit he was fired for wearing unusual outfits at work