The most concrete Impractical Jokers lawsuit on the public record is a 2019 case filed in Manhattan by a woman who said she was shown on the hidden-camera series without signing a release. Separately, in March 2025, two women publicly accused former cast member Joe Gatto of sexual assault and harassment, but no criminal charges or civil suit tied to those accusations have been publicly reported.
The 2019 Filming-Without-Release Lawsuit
Giovanna Santoni-Waldinger sued the show’s production in Manhattan Supreme Court in 2019 after appearing in a hidden-camera segment she said she never agreed to. According to the complaint, she was filmed on November 30, 2017, while eating with coworkers at City Kitchen in Times Square. She said she refused to sign a release once she was told about the filming, but an 88-second segment in which her face was “clearly recognizable” aired on TruTV on March 1, 2019.1New York Post. Queens Woman Suing Impractical Jokers TV Show for Disrespecting Her
“I just want justice. I saw what they did and it’s not right,” she told the New York Post.1New York Post. Queens Woman Suing Impractical Jokers TV Show for Disrespecting Her The outcome of the case has not been publicly reported.
2025 Allegations Against Joe Gatto
On March 20, 2025, a TikTok user known as joozyb posted videos alleging that Gatto sexually assaulted her in September 2023, when she was 19. She said she met him by chance while he was in Milwaukee for a stand-up show, was invited to the performance, and later went to his hotel, where she said the assault occurred. She posted photographs of bruises she attributed to the encounter.2BBC News. Joe Gatto Denies Sexual Assault Allegation
Days later, a second woman came forward. She identified herself as a former employee who had worked for Gatto during his time on Impractical Jokers and said she was 18 when the alleged conduct began. She accused him of sexual harassment over roughly two years, including grabbing her and asking for back massages, requesting that she come to his hotel room to “cuddle,” making frequent inquiries about her sex life, and grabbing her upper thigh in a hotel elevator during a work trip. She also said Gatto bragged about being in an open marriage and acted possessively about her personal life.3People. Impractical Jokers Joe Gatto Accused by Second Woman, a Former Employee, of Inappropriate Behavior
Gatto denied the assault allegation in a public statement on March 22, 2025. “I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most,” he said. “But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone. Working on myself is an ongoing process, and I am now going to take some time away from the public eye to focus my energies where I need to.”4Variety. Joe Gatto Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations Within days he canceled the remaining dates of his comedy tour and voluntarily entered an inpatient treatment facility.5Variety. Joe Gatto Cancels Tour, Enters Treatment Amid Allegations
Have the Gatto Allegations Led to a Lawsuit or Criminal Case?
Not publicly. As of the most recent reporting, no criminal charges, police investigations, or civil lawsuits have been reported in connection with the allegations against Gatto.6Yahoo Entertainment. Impractical Jokers Star Joe Gatto None of the remaining Impractical Jokers cast members or the show’s production team publicly commented on the accusations.
Gatto had already left the series years earlier for reasons unrelated to any public allegations. He announced on January 2, 2022, that he was leaving after more than a decade, citing “issues in my personal life” and a desire to “focus on being the best father and co-parent” to his two children.7CNN. Gatto Leaving Impractical Jokers
Where Things Stand
A representative for Gatto confirmed in May 2025 that he had completed the inpatient program. He returned to social media in August 2025, gradually resumed performing, and scheduled new tour dates for November and December of that year. He said he had “no plans to return” to Impractical Jokers as a full-time cast member.6Yahoo Entertainment. Impractical Jokers Star Joe Gatto
The show itself has continued. Produced by NorthSouth Productions, it was renewed for a 13th season at TBS in March 2026.8Deadline. Impractical Jokers Renewed Season 13 TBS