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Jeopardy executive producer Mike Richards reportedly addressed recently resurfaced sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits from his time producing The Price is Right in a memo to Jeopardy staff on Monday.

According to the memo, which was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Richards claimed that the way his actions were described in the old lawsuits 'does not reflect the reality of who I am'.

The 46-year-old, who is the current frontrunner to permanently replace Alex Trebek as the quiz show host, added that he's 'humbled' by the opportunity but stressed that the final decision is not his.   

Elephant in the room: Mike Richards addressed recently resurfaced sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits from his time at The Price Is Right in a memo obtained by THR on Monday

'I want to address the complicated employment issues raised in the press during my time at The Price is Right ten years ago,' Mike said. 'These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show.'

Shortly after news broke that Richards was well positioned to succeed Trebek, his involvement in two harassment lawsuits -brought by two former models at The Price is Right while he was a producer there - resurfaced. 

'I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on The Price is Right,' Richards said. 

One of the models, Brandi Cochran, sued FremantleMedia North America and The Price is Right Productions in 2010 over claims producers sidelined and harassed her after she became pregnant.

'I want to address the complicated employment issues raised in the press during my time at The Price is Right ten years ago,' Mike said. 'These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show.' 

Richards was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but Cochran alleged in it that he stopped talking to her as much after she became pregnant and implied that she would have been fired had the pregnancy not been a secret.  

'I know firsthand how special it is to be a parent,' Richards continued in his statement apparent reference to Brandi's complaints.

'It is the most important thing in the world to me,' Mike added. 'I would not say anything to disrespect anyone’s pregnancy and have always supported my colleagues on their parenting journeys.' 

Lawsuit: Richards was not named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by former Price Is Right model Brandi Cochran but she alleged in it that he stopped talking to her as much after she became pregnant and implied that she would have been fired had the pregnancy not been a secret

Mike went on to say that during his time on The Price Is Right and Let's Make a Deal the shows 'embraced' the seven babies born to female cast members. 

Cochran was initially awarded more than $8 million in compensatory and punitive damages, which was later overturned, as she settled with the company.

'It is true that I was asked if I would consider hosting the show,' Mike said in his statement of replacing Alex Trebek. 'I was humbled and deeply honored. No final decisions have been made and discussions with me and other potential hosts are still ongoing.'

Lanishia Cole, meanwhile, sued Richards and another producer as well as FremantleMedia North America in 2011, for wrongful termination and sexual harassment.

She alleged that the producers berated her in front of her peers, and claimed Richards began ignoring her and favoring another model he was in a relationship with in 2009.

The lawsuit was settled in 2013, and Richards, who denied any wrongdoing, was dismissed as a defendant before the settlement was reached. 

For the last year, Richards has served as Jeopardy's executive producer and was among the show's rotating cast of guest hosts following the death of Alex Trebek.

The beloved host died in November at the age of 80 after a long-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. 

According to Variety, Sony Pictures Television executives were impressed by Richards' 'command of the fast-paced game and easy on-air manner' when he guest hosted in late February.  

He confirmed in his memo to Jeopardy! staff that he is, in fact, in the running for the top job on the long-running trivia series. 

'It is true that I was asked if I would consider hosting the show,' Mike said in his statement. 'I was humbled and deeply honored. No final decisions have been made and discussions with me and other potential hosts are still ongoing.' 

Shock: For the last year, Richards has served as Jeopardy's executive producer and was among the show's rotating cast of guest hosts following the death of Alex Trebek. Fans were shocked to learn he was on the short list for the job permanently

 He added in his memo that the decision on the matter of host wasn't his and that: 'Sony’s top priority has always been to continue the incredible legacy you and Alex built. '

The latter part of the sentence seemingly in response to the backlash on Twitter for - not only his involvement in the lawsuits - but for the assumption that as an executive, he has a say in the replacement.  

The fans do not seem to approve of the executives' choice, with many writing on Twitter that the role should have gone to former 'Reading Rainbow' host LeVar Burton instead.

One person replied to the news saying Jeopardy fans have been saying for months they wanted Burton to be the new host, as executives said they would try several different guest hosts and see which one the audience responded to, but decided to go with Richards instead. 

Options: LeVar Burton, 64, was considered a fan-favorite guest host, while many assumed former contestant Ken Jennings, 47, (pictured) would be take the helm, since he had been promoted to a consulting producer for the series before Trebek's passing

He added in his memo that the decision on the matter of host wasn't his and that: 'Sony’s top priority has always been to continue the incredible legacy you and Alex built. '  

LeVar Burton, 64, was considered a fan-favorite guest host, while many assumed former contestant Ken Jennings, 47, would be take the helm, since he had been promoted to a consulting producer for the series before Trebek's passing.

Other guest hosts included 'Big Bang Theory' star Mayim Bialik, journalist Robin Roberts and NFL quarterback Aaron Rogers.   

'The last year has been the most challenging in the history of the show,' Richards said in his memo. 'I know we are all still dealing with the loss of our hero, Alex, while at the same time continuing to produce amazing shows for our millions of fans through the pandemic.'