Days later, Ms. Vinograd sent an email to CBS executives, including Susan Zirinsky, the head of CBS News, and the network’s human resources division, saying that she wanted to make a complaint about “highly inappropriate, unprofessional and upsetting events,” but wanted their assurance that she would not be retaliated against for doing so. In a phone conversation later that day with two people from human resources, she went into detail, according to the suit.

She was told the network would investigate the matter, and that if she was uncomfortable working with Mr. Gavshon, she should be the one to stay home and avoid the office, the lawsuit said.

After completing an investigation, CBS said it had not corroborated Ms. Vinograd’s claims about Mr. Gavshon’s drinking. It also concluded that he had texted the photo by mistake, describing it as an isolated incident with “no malicious intent.”

After the investigation, Ms. Vinograd claimed that she was excluded from emails, calls and meetings, and that stories she had been involved with were taken away from her. As a result, according to the suit, co-workers have avoided her “as if she committed wrongdoing.”

In a statement, CBS News said it was “reviewing the complaint filed by Ms. Vinograd and plans to vigorously defend against this lawsuit.”

The statement added, “CBS thoroughly and immediately investigated the matter in accordance with its policies. Subsequently, Ms. Vinograd asked to no longer work with Mr. Gavshon and CBS has made every reasonable effort to honor this request. CBS News vehemently denies there was any retaliation.”

Mr. Gavshon, in a statement, described the episode, saying he was reminiscing with his sister about a recently deceased childhood friend (who was in the picture) when he sent the text. “I immediately deleted the picture and apologized profusely,” he said. “I was mortified. The following day I went in early and reported the incident. I cooperated with an investigation by the company and was told not to come into work during the course of the investigation. I continue to regret this mistake and sincerely apologize for it.”