Former WMAQ-Ch. 5 reporter Amy Jacobson sued a CBS station in Chicago, claiming it aired a videotape of her in bathing attire at the home of a potential news source, whose estranged wife Lisa has been missing since April 2007.

Jacobson claims the CBS station WBBM-TV broadcast the tape “with the sole motive of boosting its sagging ratings” and portrayed the broadcaster “as an adulteress and disreputable reporter,” the Associated Press reports.  

The video showed the reporter wearing a bikini top and a towel near the poll at Craig Stebic’s Plainfield home, whose wife is still missing. The video also shows Jacobson’s two children. Jacobson said that she wanted to take her kids swimming at Chicago’s East Bank Club when Stebic’s sister invited her to the house to talk about the case.

Jacobson, who was fired after her visit became public, claims defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Her suit states “some would say” she was “the best in the business” before the incident which was recorded on tape from Stebic’s neighbour’s bedroom window.

“CBS employees wanted the public to believe that Plaintiff Jacobson had a sexual liaison with Craig Stebic,” the lawsuit said, according to the Associated Press.

“CBS2 stands by its reporting,” a WBBM spokeswoman said in a statement. “Ms. Jacobson’s claims have no merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending ourselves in court.”

The lawsuit filled in Cook County Circuit Court asks for more than $1 million in damages.