May 9 (UPI) — NBC has released the results of their internal investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against Matt Lauer that led to the networking firing the news anchor in November.
The investigation, led by NBCUniversal general counsel Kim Harris, which included accounts from 68 different people including current and former Today hosts, found no evidence that NBC News or Today leadership had received any complaints about Lauer and his behavior prior to November.
Lauer was fired after NBC received a complaint about Lauer taking part in inappropriate sexual behavior with a female colleague. Lauer admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the woman. Three additional women then came forward with similar complaints.
“All four women who came forward confirmed that they did not tell their direct manager or anyone else in a position of authority about their sexual encounters with Lauer. Current and former members of NBC News and Today Show leadership, as well as News HR, stated that they had never received a complaint about inappropriate workplace behavior by Lauer, and we did not find any contrary evidence,” the report said.
“We were also unable to establish that any of those interviewed, including NBC News and Today Show leadership, News HR and others in positions of authority in the News Division, knew that Lauer had engaged in sexual activity with other employees,” the report continued. “Every such individual credibly responded that they had no such knowledge. Most witnesses interviewed stated that they had heard or read rumors about Lauer’s personal life, including tabloid stories about the troubled state of his marriage and the possibility of extramarital affairs, but those witnesses believed, with limited exceptions, that the rumored extramarital affairs were with women outside of the Company.”
The report also said that it does not believe that there is a widespread problem of misconduct at NBC.
NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack sent out a note to employees about creating a better environment for workers to feel more comfortable about coming forward with complaints.
“Like many of you, I am immensely proud of NBC News, its history, and the work we do,” Lack said. “But — stepping back from the investigation — that history also includes a time when people were not comfortable coming forward to voice complaints about repugnant behavior. That is not acceptable. We cannot change the past. What we can do is learn from it, and try to make it right. We have already begun to turn the page to establish a safer and more respectful environment. That requires strong, specific steps in a sustained manner to transform the culture.”
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