Top 10 Biggest Law & Order Scandals

For its first three seasons, “Law & Order” was a full-on boys’ club. With all six of the main characters being men, the show struggled to win over female audiences. However, after research showed that introducing a female recurring character led to a spike in female viewers, then NBC president Warren Littlefield realized they had to make the series more inclusive. Littlefield didn’t mince words, reportedly threatening to pull the plug if producer Dick Wolf didn’t diversify the main cast. As a result, Wolf had to fire Dann Florek and Richard Brooks, who played Captain Donald Cragen and A.D.A. Paul Robinette respectively. They were quickly replaced with actresses S. Epatha Merkerson and Jill Hennessy, and the show became stronger for it.

The “Law & Order” spin-off “Organized Crime” was greenlit in March 2020, but by its premiere the following year, it had lost one of its writer-producers. Craig Gore, known for his work on shows like “S.W.A.T.” and “Chicago P.D.,” was initially set to join the team until his abrupt firing in June 2020. Gore’s dismissal came as a result of a controversial Facebook post, in which he posed with a weapon and threatened violence against Black Lives Matter protesters. This occurred during a wave of national demonstrations following George Floyd’s murder by a police officer. Gore not only lost his spot in the “Law & Order: Organized Crime” writing room, he was also dropped by his talent agency.

In 2019, E. Jean Carroll accused U.S. President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s. According to Carroll, the assault occurred in the lingerie section of department store Bergdorf Goodman, while she was helping Trump pick a gift for a female friend. Trump denied the allegations and called Carroll a liar, prompting her to sue him for defamation. During the trial, it emerged that Carroll’s claims bore a striking resemblance to a plotline from a 2012 episode of “Law & Order: SVU.” In the episode, a character describes a sexual assault fantasy set in the lingerie section of Bergdorf Goodman. However, Carroll denied any connection, maintaining that she had never seen the show. Ultimately, she prevailed and was awarded $5 million in damages.

E. Jean Carroll - Wikipedia
E. Jean Carroll wasn't surprised 'Law & Order: SVU' aired Bergdorf Goodman rape scene 7 years before she made Trump allegations | Business Insider Africa
Trump lawyers grill E Jean Carroll over Apprentice texts and rape claim’s similarity to Law & Order episode | The Independent

NewsNation
“Trump’s lawyer suggests rape accusations came from plot of ‘Law & Order’ episode”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZDTSxJpu4w

“Trump found liable for battery and defamation in E. Jean Carroll suit”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As4zsMD_Thk

Of the many shows in the “Law & Order” franchise, “SVU” has stood out for tackling topical issues with a particular sensitivity towards victims. However, the season 20 episode “Alta Kockers” seemed to fall short of this standard. The plot centered around the SVU team investigating the murder of a young transgender author. For much of the episode, however, the team consistently disregards the victim’s gender identity, choosing instead to address the character using male pronouns. Many viewers expressed their disappointment with this and directed their concerns towards “SVU” showrunner, Michael Chernuchin, as well as lead actress Mariska Hargitay on social media. Both Chernuchin and Hargitay acknowledged the feedback, thanked fans for speaking out and pledged to do better in the future.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 20 - Wikipedia
Inside ‘Law & Order: SVU’s’ Transphobia Controversy

NBC
S20E10 “Alta Kockers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsuPfjy-1go

Many “Law & Order” episodes draw inspiration from real-life cases, before veering off in entirely different directions. But occasionally, the show blurs the line between reality and fiction. The season 14 episode “Floater” featured a character named Ravi Patel, a New York City lawyer of Indian descent caught up in a judicial corruption scandal. Coincidentally, or maybe not, there was a real-life Indian-American lawyer named Ravi Batra, who was connected to a political scandal in Brooklyn. Although Batra was not charged with any crime, he found the resemblance to the character a little too close for comfort. As a result, he sued the show for libel. Now facing a legal predicament of their own, “Law & Order” producers decided to settle out-of-court for an undisclosed amount.

Law & Order - Wikipedia
Judge Rules That Suit Against ‘Law & Order’ Creator May Continue - The New York Times

NBC
S14E07 “Floater”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Ur0hEgZKs

The penultimate episode of “SVU” season 20 centered on a Muslim woman who reported being assaulted in a synagogue, in what was initially believed to be a hate crime. The storyline also introduced a Muslim city councilwoman, seemingly an exaggerated portrayal of U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The episode faced backlash, with a Muslim advocacy group criticizing it for equating support for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism and perpetuating negative stereotypes about Muslim men. The group argued that the episode fueled Islamophobia and could lead to anti-Muslim attacks. Although the group’s executive directors urged the show’s producers to engage with leaders of the Muslim community to better understand the issue, it is unclear if such a meeting ever happened.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 20 - Wikipedia
Law & Order: SVU is accused of "enflaming Islamopobia" by Muslim advocacy group
Muslim Group Calls Out 'Law & Order: SVU' For Episode 'Enflaming Islamophobia' | HuffPost Entertainment

NBC
S20E23 “Assumptions”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlOzda3cZdI

The “Law & Order” franchise has faced lawsuits not only from external parties, but also from some of its own actors. In 2009, Oscar-nominated actress Rosie Perez guest-starred on an episode of “SVU” as the mother of a sexual assault victim. While filming, Perez suffered severe injuries to her neck that required surgery for a herniated disc. This forced her to drop out of a stage production of John Guare’s “A Free Man of Color” and left her wearing a neck brace even one year later. Consequently, Perez sued the show’s production companies for negligence, alleging that she was “recklessly pulled, grabbed, yanked, wrenched and manhandled.” Initially seeking over $75,000 in damages, Perez later settled the suit for an unspecified amount.

Rosie Perez - Wikipedia
Rosie Perez Sues Over Injuries Suffered Filming 'Law and Order: SVU' | Fox News
The Real Reason Rosie Perez Sued Law & Order Producers

NBC
S11E05 “Hardwired”
Clip N/A

Between 2003 and 2012, Diane Neal starred on “Law & Order: SVU” as A.D.A. Casey Novak. Her departure initially seemed amicable, but in 2019, her alleged sentiments towards her co-stars came to light during a legal battle with her ex-partner, JB Benn. Neal had sued Benn for physical and sexual assault, while he countersued, claiming she had threatened to kill him. One exhibit from Benn’s countersuit was an email in which Neal allegedly referred to “SVU” star Mariska Hargitay with a derogatory term and labeled her other co-stars, except Ice-T, as “awful people.” Neal denied making these comments, insisting there was no animosity between her and Hargitay. Regardless, this controversy likely ended any chance of her ever returning to the show.

Diane Neal - Wikipedia
Diane Neal Allegedly Called Mariska Hargitay a ''Total Bitch''
Diane Neal allegedly calls 'Law & Order: SVU' co-star Mariska Hargitay a 'total bitch'

NBC
S05E05 “Serendipity”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1mvlssV1BA&t=108s - Neal’s first episode

“Law & Order: SVU” has long addressed sensitive issues like harassment, misconduct and abuse of power. But in 2022, the show found itself in the hot seat for similar behavior. The controversy centered around writer and producer David Graziano, who had recently become showrunner ahead of the 24th season. Graziano had previously worked on series like “Felicity,” “Jack Ryan,” and “Coyote,” and soon after he joined “SVU,” he faced accusations from over a dozen former staffers. They accused him of fostering a toxic workplace and being demeaning towards women and people of color. Graziano denied the allegations, attributing any perceived hostility to the “excruciating pain” he was dealing with from a neck injury. Despite the controversy, Graziano remained as showrunner on “SVU.”

David Graziano - Wikipedia
Law & Order SVU's David Graziano accused of bullying, misogyny
Law & Order: SVU showrunner David Graziano is accused of mistreating women on set | Daily Mail Online

CBS All Access
S01E05 “King Tide”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kmL3KHTCMc

TV director Jace Alexander built a career working on popular shows like “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “House M.D.” and “Prison Break.” But he is best known for his contributions to “Law & Order,” where he directed 32 episodes and earned a reputation as a trusted collaborator. However, in 2015, the longtime director of the crime series was exposed as a criminal himself when authorities discovered inappropriate material involving minors on his computers and hard drives. Alexander was arrested and brought up on criminal charges, for which he faced a potential seven-year sentence in state prison. He later pled guilty to the charges and instead received 10 years probation, along with mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Jace Alexander - Wikipedia
‘Law & Order’ director’s wife explains why she stayed after he was convicted of possessing child pornography | Fox News

“LAW & ORDER TV Director Arrested for Child Pornography”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irHDN7PsmYo




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