Jason Kennedy's Wife Says He's Being 'Unfairly Shamed' for Catt Sadler Leaving E!

Catt Sadler's loud departure from E! News has left former co-host Jason Kennedy taking the brunt of the backlash from fans.

Sadler resigned from her position as an on air personality on Tuesday after learning that Kennedy was making "double" her salary "for several years," despite being in similar positions.

Many have shamed Kennedy for the discrepancy, but his wife, Lauren Scruggs, took to social media Thursday to defend his position.

"I believe in female empowerment and gender equality, but it's heartbreaking that a network is being deemed sexist when that is simply not true," Scruggs wrote of E!.

"At one time my husband had a female co-anchor on E! News who made three times his salary," she wrote, referring to Kennedy's former cohost Guiliana Rancic. "Women are paid accordingly on this network, and the difference in his salary versus theirs did not affect Jason whatsoever because he knows there are always more components to consider when determining one's salary than gender alone."

I have always said that there are negatives and positives to social media, and these last 48 hours have proven that to be true. I believe in female empowerment and gender equality, but it’s heartbreaking that a network is being deemed sexist when that is simply not true. At one time my husband had a female co-anchor on E! News who made 3 times his salary. Women are paid accordingly on this network, and the difference in his salary versus hers did not affect Jason. He knows there are always more components to consider when determining one’s salary than gender alone. _ In a New York Times article yesterday, an E! spokeswoman confirmed quote “Ms. Sadler’s and Mr. Kennedy’s roles were not comparable.” Since Jason was named the permanent anchor of E! News over two years ago, he has had various co-hosts that rotate throughout the week. A permanent co-host has never been named since the last one left 6 months ago. _ As you know, there are two sides to every story. I am posting this to tell the other side, which everyone deserves to know before jumping to conclusions about a place he has called home for the last twelve years. If he ever heard that gender inequality was occurring at his workplace, he would take action. Instead, it’s the contrary, and the numerous phone calls we have had these past two days from both current and former female employees at E! only support what he has seen in his time there. These women have assured us that they never felt gender inequality was at play at any time. _ Jason is the most tender-hearted & respectful person and it’s so sad to see him unfairly publicly shamed. His name has been dragged through the mud regarding nothing he did, except be a great friend & colleague. It absolutely breaks my heart to watch, & it is devastating & frustrating to see how this all played out. I will always stand on truth, & I cannot stand by and be silent when the foundation of a story that affects my family is not based on that. I am so proud of & inspired by my husband for constantly being prayerful, surrounding himself w/ wisdom, & being the definition of a class act even in unfortunate circumstances. Love u, Jase, I am honored to be by your side.

A post shared by Lauren Scruggs Kennedy (@laurenscruggs) on Dec 21, 2017 at 4:32pm PST

Information obtained by Us Weekly revealed that Sadler earned around $600,000 per year, while Kennedy's salary sat around $1 million, "$1.2 million at most," a source claimed.

Sadler wrote on her website that she resigned from the network after she discovered the pay discrepancy and was refused a raise similar to Kennedy's total earnings.

Kennedy's wife continued to defend her husband with a second point, disagreeing with Sadler's claim that the cohosts were in "similar situations" within the company.

"In a New York Times article from yesterday, an E! spokeswoman confirmed quote 'Ms. Sadler's and Mr. Kennedy's roles were not comparable,' " she wrote. "Since Jason was named the permanent anchor of E! News over two years ago, he has had various co-hosts that rotate throughout the week. A permanent co-host has never been named since the last one left six months ago."

Scruggs also claims that if Kennedy was aware of gender inequality within the company, he would have taken action to redirect it.

"Jason is the most tender-hearted and respectful person and it's so sad to see him unfairly publicly shamed, especially when he is legally bound to speak truth and defend himself," his wife continued. "His name has been dragged through the mud regarding nothing he did, except be a great friend and colleague to those who work alongside him. It absolutely breaks my heart to watch, and it is devastating and frustrating to see how this all played out."

Following Sadler's initial announcement on Tuesday, she took to Instagram on Thursday, partially to echo Scruggs' message. She encouraged fans not to blame Kennedy for the events leading to her departure, explaining that "his hands are tied."

I couldn’t let another minute go by without acknowledging the overwhelming love and support I’ve been receiving the last 24 hours. Leaving E was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but your messages and heartfelt comments are comforting and affirm for me that I made the right decision. So many of you have similar stories, similar struggles, legitimate frustrations and I want you to know I hear you and feel for you. As a result, I have a renewed sense of purpose and genuine passion to right the wrongs. We are stronger together and I feel your strength at my core. If I had one ask, it is to please not place blame on my friend Jason Kennedy. He has done right by me in every respect. It hurts me deeply to see that some are vilifying him. I repeat, his hands are tied on this matter and if you’re angry - rightfully so - direct that emotion at the decision makers who failed us, not him. All my love + gratitude 🖤

A post shared by CATT SADLER (@iamcattsadler) on Dec 20, 2017 at 8:17pm PST

"Please [do] not place blame on my friend Jason Kennedy. He has done right by me in every respect. It hurts me deeply to see that some are vilifying him," she wrote in defense of her former co-host. "I repeat, his hands are tied on this matter and if you're angry — rightfully so — direct that emotion at the decision makers who failed us, not him."