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John Ridley, ABC and Disney Face Discrimination Lawsuit: What the Case Alleges

Asta Jonasson’s employment lawsuit alleges discrimination, unequal pay, retaliation and wrongful termination. Ridley’s lawyer denied the allegations; secondary listings show procedural activity through 2026, but no established final outcome.
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Asta Jonasson’s April 2024 employment lawsuit against John Ridley, Disney and ABC-related companies alleges race and gender discrimination, unequal pay, retaliation and wrongful termination. Ridley’s lawyer denied the allegations. Secondary case listings show activity through September 2026, but the available record does not establish a final judgment or settlement.

What is the lawsuit about?

Jonasson filed the case in Los Angeles County Superior Court on April 3, 2024. TheWrap reported that she was a former development executive associated with the production of American Crime. Named defendants include The Walt Disney Company, ABC Signature (doing business as ABC Studios), International Famous Players Radio Picture Corporation, John Ridley IV and Doe defendants. TheWrap’s report describes the case and its allegations.

The complaint asserts claims including race and gender discrimination, retaliation, unequal pay, failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation, and wrongful termination. A case listing also describes claims under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Equal Pay Act. These are allegations, not findings that the defendants violated the law.

What does Jonasson allege about pay and retaliation?

According to TheWrap’s account of the complaint, Jonasson says she was paid less while performing work she was qualified to do. She alleges Ridley offered a better-paid development position to a white male candidate; after he did not accept, she continued doing the work at her lower wage. She says she complained to Ridley, ABC and Disney, and later raised discrimination concerns after Shannon Rhoades, described in the report as a white woman, was hired to do the same tasks for more money. The complaint alleges Jonasson was terminated after making a written complaint.

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TheWrap also reported the complaint’s assertion that Jonasson’s pay had not increased since 2014 despite additional responsibilities and strong performance, and that by 2021 her salary was below the minimum required for overtime-exempt status. Those salary and employment details are allegations reported from the complaint; the sources cited here do not establish them as adjudicated facts.

How has John Ridley responded?

Ridley’s attorney, Jennifer Redmond, told TheWrap: “The allegations against Mr. Ridley are false, and the allegation that Mr. Ridley is biased against Asian-Americans is preposterous. We look forward to proving as much in court.” TheWrap reported that Disney and ABC had not immediately responded to its request for comment when its article was published; that report does not establish their current position.

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What is the case’s procedural status?

Secondary case-record sources describe several procedural steps, but do not provide a complete official docket. Trellis reports that a demurrer by Ridley and International Famous Players Radio Picture Corporation was sustained with leave to amend on November 27, 2024; Jonasson filed a first amended complaint on January 15, 2025; and defendants filed answers on February 19, 2025. A later Trellis entry records an April 8, 2026 tentative ruling denying Jonasson’s motion to reconsider an earlier ruling allowing her counsel to withdraw. A California ruling index for September 2026 lists a motion to quash in the case as denied.

These entries describe procedural events, not a decision on whether the discrimination allegations are true. The reviewed material does not establish a final judgment, settlement or next scheduled event.

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