Ex-Producer Sues NBC Over 'Predator'

A former producer of "To Catch a Predator" is suing NBC, claiming she was fired for criticizing the popular show. Marsha Bartel says she expressed ethical worries about the way the program snares would-be child molesters in a cybersting, the Smoking Gun reports, and was fired shortly thereafter. She says NBC told her "general business factors" motivated her dismissal.

In her federal breach of contract lawsuit, the 21-year NBC veteran says the network's payments to Perverted Justice, an online vigilante group, amount to a "financial incentive to lie to trick targets of its sting." She claims suspects are routinely humiliated by being coaxed into removing their clothes. The network's response: "NBC News is proud of its reporting." (More NBC stories.)