T.J. Holmes accused of affair with intern, who later decried ‘toxic’ work environment at ABC

T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s alleged failure to disclose that they were romantically involved may not be the only reason that ABC has reportedly decided to permanently remove them from co-hosting “GMA3” and to work out an “exit strategy” for them both to leave the network.

The Daily Mail reported Thursday that Holmes also allegedly had an affair with a 24-year-old intern in 2015, which left the young woman “feeling uncomfortable and used” after she initially reached out to him as a prospective mentor. The Daily Mail quoted a source who knew the young woman at the time and who said that Holmes “took full advantage of his position, and he was reckless.”

At the time of the alleged affair, Holmes was 13 years older than the woman and five years into his marriage to attorney Marilee Fiebig. Holmes and Fiebig also share a young daughter, who would have turned 2 in 2015.

Many have questioned why Holmes and Robach were suspended from their co-hosting gigs on the daytime news program “GMA3” seven weeks ago. Although both were married, fans have said they were consenting adults, while the Puck newsletter said it didn’t appear that they explicitly violated any company policy. To fans, this means they’re being unfairly punished for “falling in love.” The only word from ABC is that the two were taken off the air because the news of their relationship had created “internal and external distractions.”

But if Holmes had a sexual relationship with a subordinate, it sounds like this could change the conversation, especially in a post-#MeToo-era when there is greater awareness and concern about sexual harassment and abuse of power in the workplace. The Daily Mail and other publications also have reported that Holmes had at least one other affair with an ABC colleague — with a married ABC producer.

The source told the Daily Mail that the former intern, Jasmin Pettaway, started at ABC in 2014 and it was her first real job in television. “It was a big deal for her,” the source told the Daily Mail. “She was looking for a mentor and she reached out to several people. T.J (a correspondent at the time) was someone who was responsive, but he absolutely abused the position of trust.”

The source said the relationship became sexual for about several months and Holmes became “incredibly reckless,” such as by being overly affectionate with Pettaway in a public place like a bar. “He just didn’t seem to care,” the source said. “You know he’s wearing his ring. He has a wife, he has a relatively high-profile job, but he wasn’t acting like he was concerned about either of those things at the time.”

A representative for Holmes did not respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment, and Pettaway declined comment.

Pettaway eventually was promoted to segment producer for “Good Morning America” and remained at ABC in New York before heading to Cleveland in 2016, where she joined the network’s local affiliate.

In a 2021 online interview, Pettaway said she left New York due to a mixture of “insecurity, loneliness and some naïvete,” the Daily Mail reported. She also said that the “toxic environment” at ABC had been damaging to her self-esteem.

The Sun and US weekly reported this week that Holmes and Robach won’t be returning to “GMA3.”

“Amy and T.J are out, a decision has been made,” an insider told Us Weekly. “The network is negotiating with them on their exit deals and an announcement.” The Sun said that both have hired lawyers to help them work out these deals.

“ABC is going to pay a lot of money to make everyone happy and go away very, very quietly,” a network insider told The Sun. That means that Holmes, Robach and anyone else involved will be expected to sign non-disclosure agreements “to make sure there are no nuclear explosions in the aftermath.”

Thus far, Holmes and Robach have declined to discuss their relationship or their respective divorces. Robach has begun divorce proceedings to end her 12-year marriage to “Melrose Place” actor Andrew Shue. But Fiebig has spoken out, with her lawyer issuing a statement earlier this month, slamming her estranged husband for his lack of discretion.

Over the holidays, Homles and Robach were seen enjoying lunch together in New York, embracing at the Atlanta airport and kissing and laughing as they headed into a restaurant in Miami Beach, the Daily Mail and TMZ photos show. The pair can’t seem to keep their hands off each other in the Miami photos, Glamour reported.

“We continue to be disappointed by T.J’s lack of discretion, respect and sensitivity toward Marilee and the party’s daughter,” an attorney for Fiebig said.