Fox News producer was forced to spy on Maria Bartiromo, who execs called 'crazy,' 'menopausal,' and 'hysterical,' new lawsuit says

• Former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg has filed a discrimination suit against the network.

• She alleges that a "poisonous and entrenched patriarchy" at the network allows abuse of female staff.

• Grossberg says she was made to spy on host Maria Bartiromo, who execs called "crazy" and "menopausal."

In a discrimination lawsuit filed Monday against Fox News and several of its executives, a former producer at the network said the "poisonous and entrenched patriarchy" at the network allows for the abuse of female staff.

Abby Grossberg said in her lawsuit that she witnessed hostile workplace behavior toward host Maria Bartiromo. Grossberg accused Fox executives of forcing her to spy on the host of "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" and report back to executives about her behavior.

Grossberg said Fox executives called Bartiromo names behind the scenes. One producer, the suit says, called Bartiromo "crazy," "menopausal," and said she often became "hysterical," while another described her as a "diva."

A third called Bartiromo a "crazy bitch," per Grossberg.

Ralph Giordano, vice president of news coverage at Fox Business Network, "used his position of power to coerce Ms. Grossberg into spying on Ms. Bartiromo," according to Grossberg's complaint.