Jury Sides with David Custer in Retaliation Suit Against WNEM

Former WNEM-TV5 anchor David Custer has won his retaliation lawsuit against the Saginaw TV station, following claims of harassment and wrongful treatment.

David Custer's Retaliation Lawsuit Against WNEM-TV 5

The lawsuit, filed on July 22, 2024, six days before WNEM-TV5 ended his contract, named the station, parent company Gray Television, General Manager Ken Frierson Jr., and News Director Jayne Hodak Soboleski. Attorney Tom R. Pabst said Custer brought the suit after claiming he was retaliated against for standing up for a coworker who had also filed a complaint against the Saginaw-based station.

Custer alleged that station management’s actions following his defense of the employee played a role in his contract not being renewed. The situation escalated on July 28, just three days before his contract was set to expire, when one of the defendants reportedly screamed at Custer over the lawsuit, told him to leave immediately, and declared he was fired.

Custer, who anchored WNEM-TV5 newscasts from 2013 to 2024, won the civil case after a Genesee County jury found that both Frierson and the station retaliated against him and allowed retaliation to occur, in violation of Michigan civil rights laws.

Jury Verdict and Damages

The jury awarded Custer $40,000 in damages for the retaliation he experienced. According to the Midland Daily News, he had initially requested $100,000 in damages, plus attorney fees and interest. With the addition of his legal costs, Custer’s total award amounts to roughly $150,000.

After the verdict, Custer told reporters he felt vindicated and hoped the case would serve as a reminder that employees should not face retaliation for speaking up.

Custer now serves as Executive Director of Media Relations for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, where he works under Sheriff Chris Swanson, who recently launched his gubernatorial campaign.