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Revision as of 19:35, 30 November 2017 by Atsme (talk | contribs) (create page)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Matt Lauer was fired by NBC News, November 29, 2017, after network executives met a few days earlier with an unidentified woman who described her interactions with him. NBC News chairman Andrew Lack said they were "presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident." A few days later, two more complaints surfaced, one of which came from an unnamed former employee who gave her account of the incident to The New York Times. The report said Lauer "summoned her to his office in 2001, locked the door and sexually assaulted her", and that the encounter caused her to pass out, requiring medical attention from a nurse. The day after Lauer's firing, his public relations team issued a message that he wrote expressing his sorrow, shame and regret.
Two month investigation
Elizabeth Wagmeister, a reporter with Variety, tweeted that for two months she had been investigating "serious sexual harassment allegations against Lauer". The investigation produced "dozens of interviews" with anonymous staffers, one of whom alleged that Lauer "once gave a colleague a sex toy with an explicit note about how he wanted to use it on her." There are also allegations of indecent exposure, and other sexually explicit behavior.
Today show announcement
On November 29, 2017 Lauer's colleagues, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, reported his firing on NBC's Today show. Guthrie said she was "heartbroken for her colleague who came forward to tell her story", and while appearing to fight back tears, called Lauer her "friend who is beloved by many at NBC."
The announcement was made on the day Lauer was supposed to co-host the NBC special, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" which features the annual tree-lighting ceremony in Manhattan with Al Roker, Kotb and Guthrie.
Reception
NBC received praised from Ari Wilkenfeld, attorney for one of Lauer's accusers, for their quick response to what they termed as Lauer's "egregious acts of sexual harassment and misconduct."
In Andrew Lack's memo about the firing, he said, "Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender."
Megan Kelly, an outspoken advocate against sexual harassment said "What we don't see is the pain on the faces of those who found the courage to come forward, and it is still a terrifying thing to do."
References
- ^ Gabler, Ellen; Rutenberg, Jim; Grynbaum, Michael N.; Abrams, Rachel (November 29, 2017). "NBC Receives at Least 2 New Complaints About Matt Lauer". The New York Times.
- Stelter, Brian; Kludt, Tom (November 29, 2017). "NBC fires Matt Lauer after complaint about 'inappropriate sexual behavior'".
- ^ Bauder, David (November 29, 2017). "Matt Lauer is fired at NBC, accused of crude misconduct". ABC News.
- ^ "Matt Lauer on sexual misconduct allegations: "I am truly sorry"". Associated Press. CBS Interactive Inc. November 30, 2017.