Paramount president Jeff Shell ousted after lawsuit over leaked secrets
Shell departed his role less than a year after joining Paramount Skydance, following a $150 million lawsuit alleging he leaked confidential corporate information.
1:52 PM
Jeff Shell has been ousted as president of Paramount Skydance, marking his second departure from a top media role in three years.
Shell's exit came Wednesday following weeks of turmoil tied to a $150 million lawsuit filed by RJ Cipriani, a Santa Monica, California-based gambler and self-described fixer. The lawsuit accuses Shell of leaking confidential, market-moving corporate information and reneging on a deal for months of unpaid compensation.
An internal investigation into Shell's conduct also preceded his departure. Paramount announced the exit in a statement, saying Shell had "elected to transition from his positions as President of PSKY and a member of PSKY's Board of Directors to focus on this lawsuit." The company added it was "grateful for Mr. Shell's many contributions and to have relied on him as a valued advisor."
Shell had held the Paramount Skydance presidency for less than a year, having taken the position following Paramount's merger with Skydance. His tenure at the company was marked by the legal dispute with Cipriani, whose lawsuit alleged Shell leaked confidential information and failed to honor financial commitments.
This marks the second significant setback for Shell in recent years. In 2023, he was fired from his previous role as NBCUniversal boss after an internal investigation found he had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, then-CNBC anchor Hadley Gamble.