CBS Paid Eliza Dushku $9.5 Million to Settle Sexual Harassment Claim Against 'Bull' Star Michael Weatherly

CBS continues to experience problems related to the #MeToo movement as it has been revealed that an actress was paid not to talk about sexual harassment on the set of the network's primetime drama Bull.

Actress Eliza Dushku was given a $9.5 million payout according to the New York Times. The actress told investigators that she feels she was written out of the show due to her complaints about on-set conduct from the show's titular star Michael Weatherly.

Dushku was initially hired for a three-episode arc on Bull with plans to eventually become a full-time cast member, but soon after she began work, Weatherly allegedly made comments that made Dushku "uncomfortable," the Times reports.

The comments included referencing a threesome, a joke about rape and remarks about Dushku's appearance. At one point, Dushku said Weatherly told her that he would bend her over his leg and spank her in front of other cast and crew members.

"I ad-libbed a joke, a classic Cary Grant line from 'Charade' or 'Philadelphia Story,' and that meant not at all that that was an action I wanted to take," Weatherly told the Times in regard to the spanking remark.

However, Dushku told investigators that Weatherly's behavior was contagious and that a crew member told her once that he was "with Bull," implying that he also wanted to have a threesome with the actress.

Weatherly told the Times that he did not imply that he and Dushku take part in a threesome with another cast member, but rather that he was adlibbing in response to a gesture Dushku made while on camera.

"During the course of taping our show, I made some jokes mocking some lines in the script, When Eliza told me that she wasn't comfortable with my language and attempt at humor, I was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologized. After reflecting on this further, I better understand that what I said was both not funny and not appropriate and I am sorry and regret the pain this caused Eliza," Weatherly said in a separate statement.

Dushku said that she first approached Bull showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron about her concerns and the two agreed that she should speak to Weatherly. When she brought up the harassment to Weatherly, Dushku told investigators she was written off the show and believes her removal was in retaliation to her complaint.

"It's my recollection that I didn't tell anyone how they should do their job regarding the hiring or firing of anybody," Weatherly said.

However, Dushku was written out days after she confronted Weatherly, with Caron telling the actress that he didn't know how to continue writing for her character.

The $9.5 million paid to Dushku is roughly what the actress would have earned had she remained on the show for four seasons. The network said in a statement to the Times that there is still work to be done to protect employees and provide a safe work environment.

"The allegations in Ms. Dushku's claims are an example that, while we remain committed to a culture defined by a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace, our work is far from done," the statement read.

The investigation comes on the heels of an interview given by former CBS star Cybil Shepherd. Shepherd alleges that former CBS CEO Les Moonves derailed her 1990's sitcom Cybill after she refused his advances.

Moonves has been accused of harassment by multiple women and reportedly misled investigators and destroyed evidence related to the case against him. Moonves has thus far stated that the allegations are false.

This year, CBS has also fired former CBS: This Morning co-host Charlie Rose for sexual harassment and 60 Minutes executive producer Jeff Fager for threatening a co-worker who was looking into allegations about inappropriate behavior in the workplace.

Dushku has previously spoken out about her experience with sexual harassment and molestation, stating that a stunt coordinator sexually abused her on the set of True Lies when she was 12 years old.