We're offering a 2-week trial of WrapPRO for $1. If you’ve been wanting to check out our full coverage, now’s the time. Greetings!Once again, Jeff Shell is at the center of a storm of controversy. The Paramount president had been dealing with allegations of disclosing non-public company information over the last few weeks when things blew up on Monday when Las Vegas gambler and whistleblower Robert James “R.J.” Cipriani sued Shell for allegedly failing to pay for crisis communications services. The 67-page complaint claimed Shell violated securities laws by leaking the details and timing of Paramount’s $7.7 billion media rights deal for the UFC, as well as its plans to submit a sweetened offer for Warner Bros. Discovery that ultimately led to a $110 billion merger deal. This couldn't come at a worse time. Paramount CEO David Ellison is in the middle of pushing through a WBD deal that has Hollywood up in arms and regulators casting a skeptical eye. The company can ill afford dealing with questions about the deal amid its president also facing an SEC inquiry and internal investigation. Our Lucas Manfredi asked experts in the communication, executive staffing and legal fields to get their take on what needs to be done. While the situation begs the question of whether Paramount can afford to keep Shell, one legal expert cautioned against a knee-jerk termination, given the possibility of a wrongful termination suit. Many suggests Paramount and Shell acknowledge the incident and try to control the narrative, with Shell maintaining constant communication with both Paramount and WBD. But if the investigation turns up something, that could spell trouble for Shell. “This is the second time in three years that [Shell’s] personal relationships have put a major media company in an uncomfortable position. David Ellison took a calculated risk bringing him back and now that risk is very much on the table,” regulatory and government investigations attorney Braden Perry told Manfredi. Three years ago, NBCUniversal fired Shell over allegations of sexual harassment. He’s just one of a number of men with troubled pasts who have joined the new Paramount. In this instance, it's a problem Ellison can't ignore. Roger Cheng Before we move on, be sure to follow me on my socials linked below for the latest updates. DMs are open for tips.    
Cipriani's complaint paints the picture of a relationship forged out of one crisis, and whose falling out sparked a second one... 
| ||||||||||||
