Dave Ramsey Personality Leaves Talk Show Amid Lawsuit Investigation

Photo Source: Chris Hogan (YouTube/The Ramsey Show)

A top radio personality, Chris Hogan, of the popular personal finance radio show, The Dave Ramsey Show, has been let go from the show amid a federal lawsuit against the company. Hogan's sudden departure raises new questions about double standards in a federal lawsuit filed against the company in 2020.

Chris Hogan was one of the show’s top personalities, dishing out real-world biblically rooted financial advice to the millions of listeners who tuned in every weekday. His sudden departure has not only rocked the radio show’s solid listening base, but it’s raised new questions in a lawsuit filed by a former employee of Ramsey Solutions, the company behind the show.

In July of 2020, an administrative assistant with Ramsey Solutions who had been with the company for four years was suddenly terminated after she got pregnant out of wedlock. When Caitlin O'Connor requested documents for her maternity leave, she was directed to a meeting with the head of the human resources department. During the meeting, she was told that she had violated the company's “ rigorous living policy” by having a child before getting married. She was subsequently released from her duties.

The lawsuit explains that Ramsey Solutions was a Christian company and stipulated to employees through company policy that employees should not “engage in behavior not consistent with traditional Judeo-Christian values or teaching.”

The lawsuit goes on to say that “[Ramsey Solutions] terminated [O’Conner’s] employment after she notified them of her pregnancy and not only terminated her employment, but in a particularly cruel manner also her health insurance benefits which include pre and post-natal care.”

After being with the company for four years, O'Connor explains that she was wrongfully terminated and that the company violated the Family Medical Leave Act, Tennessee Human Rights Act, and the Tennessee Maternity Leave Act.

Standard Not Applied to Male Employee

As part of the investigation, attorneys for O'Connor have asked to look into the personnel files of the popular radio personality, Chris Hogan, after accusations had swirled that Hogan also behaved in a manner not reflective of the company’s "rigorous living policy.” Amid the accusations, Hogan announced his departure from the company in mid-March. In a video released by Hogan on Youtube, the best-selling author explains, "Recently it's come to light that I've done some things personally that are not in line with Ramsey Solutions, and as a result, I'm no longer a team member at Ramsey."

The explanation of his sudden departure has raised questions as to whether or not a double standard was set for employees at Ramsey Solutions regarding men and women and their adherence to the employee policy.

Hogan's ex-wife Melissa Hogan shared on her personal blog that she approached the company in 2019 shortly before the time of O’Conner’s termination with allegations of her husband's infidelity. Ms. Hogan explains that when she brought her concerns to the company, a “restoration plan" was put in place for the couple's relationship even though she did not agree to the plan.

Ms. Hogan also adds that her husband was not fired in light of the allegations of his infidelity. She shared in her blog post, "Ramsey Solutions was well aware of my ex-husband’s misconduct as far back as December 2018, or perhaps earlier. To the extent they claim that new information has compelled their decision to terminate my ex-husband, it is clear that they had sufficient information over two years ago that his conduct was inconsistent with Ramsey’s core values and chose to do nothing until now. Instead, they chose to manipulate, cover-up, and intimidate."

Although Ramsey Solutions has offered very little information on the matter, they did submit a motion in February asking the court to dismiss parts of the lawsuit. The motion explains that Dave Ramsey is “a purveyor of biblically-based educational resources, prohibits employees from engaging in premarital sex. Plaintiff’s employment was terminated for violating this rule.”