The world has been rocked with allegations of sexual assault recently, specifically in the world of show business. Harvey Weinstein, Ed Westwick, Kevin Spacey, Ben Affleck and former President George H. W. Bush are among the famous names who have been accused of sexual misconduct.
Most recently, Today Show host Matt Lauer has been fired over allegations of “inappropriate sexual behavior” towards current and former employees of the Station.
Delivering the news live on air, NBC News host Savannah Guthrie revealed that the station was sent an email by NBC chairman Andy Lack in which he revealed “Dear colleagues, on Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.”
While at the time of the on air announcement, the details of the case were relatively unknown, Andy Lack had said “we were also presented with reason to believe that this may not have been an isolated incident.”
However, since last week’s announcement Variety has published some of the specific accusations from female employees, along with the New York Times who claim two more women have come forward with accusations, including one of rape. This may prove NBC right, that the initial accusation was right and that it wasn’t an isolated incident.
Savannah Guthrie breaking the news live on air.
Variety claims that several women complained about his alleged behavior and reported him to network executives; however, no action was ever taken against him. One woman alleges that Lauer once gave her a sex toy as a gift with an accompanying “explicit note” on how he wanted her to use it, leaving her feeling “mortified”.
It was also reported that Lauer “summoned a different female employee to his office, and then dropped his pants, showing her his penis,” he then reprimanded the woman who refused to do anything with him.
The incident linked to his firing involves alleged inappropriate sexual conduct with a female employee who claims the misconduct began in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics and continued for months after.
A former producer with NBC who claims to have first-hand knowledge of Lauer’s alleged behavior said “There were a lot of consensual relationships, but that’s still a problem because of the power he held. He couldn’t sleep around town with celebrities or on the road with random people, because he’s Matt Lauer and he’s married. So he’d have to do it within his stable, where he exerted power, and he knew people wouldn’t ever complain.”
Lauer and some female colleagues at the Matrix Awards in April 2017. Courtesy Maryanne Russell Photography
The unnamed source said that Lauer apparently had a lock fitted to his office door which he could lock by pushing a button under his desk, giving him the opportunity to proposition women without fear of someone walking in on them.
Matt Lauer released a statement via his public relations team in which he said “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
While Lauer has denied some of the accusations against him he said that there is enough evidence for him to feel ashamed for what he has done. “Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.”
Lauer and his wife Annette Roque. Image REX/Shutterstock
Matt Lauer ended his statement by saying that his full-time job now, is to attempt to repair the damage he has caused to those around him. “Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul-searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.”
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