Thread by @latimes

More than 12 people who worked with #SVU showrunner David Graziano described him variously as a volatile and bullying boss who rage-fired underlings, left staffers in tears and made inappropriate comments toward women, support staff & people of color. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

In June, Graziano — a prominent TV producer — was given the keys to “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” ahead of the NBC crown jewel’s record-setting 24th season.

But trouble was brewing behind the scenes. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

Not long after Graziano took over “SVU,” the show’s script coordinator quit. After the position was posted on a listserv that circulates among script coordinators, it triggered warnings from other individuals who had previously worked with Graziano. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

“The new showrunner, David Graziano, is a very unprofessional, ego-centric, and immature man,” wrote Haley Cameron, whose exit created the job vacancy. She declined to comment to the Times. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

Under Graziano, the production was “an absolute unorganized nightmare,” she wrote, cautioning the others on the listserv, “I urge you — especially women — to think twice before putting yourself in a position that could end as badly as mine did.” lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

Through a spokesperson, Graziano disputed Cameron’s claims and her characterization of his leadership skills on “SVU,” saying that he and others had discussed her job performance and that she was “about to be fired.” lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

He also denied making any inappropriate comments about women or people of color, adding that any remarks he made about women’s bodies or other sensitive topics was always in the context of creating a story, characters or dialogues. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

“Though it would be easy and convenient, I refuse to blame some past behavior on the abuse I suffered as a child at the hands of a Catholic priest, as well as at home,” Graziano said in the statement. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

As long as Hollywood has existed, bullying has been ingrained in the culture. But Graziano’s conduct stood out, according to many of those who worked for him. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

With #SVU, Graziano, whose conduct has been called into question by a number of his former colleagues, was now in charge of a series whose subject matter routinely deals with sexual and domestic violence, as well as abuse of power. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv

Many former colleagues of Graziano spoke to The Times on the condition of anonymity for fear of personal or professional repercussions.

Read @StacyPerman’s investigation into the showrunner. lat.ms/3Y4Eaxv