American broadcasting and media company CBS Corporation said on Friday that it was investigating the allegations of sexual misconduct against its Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves as published in an article in The New Yorker magazine.
Six women who had business dealings with Moonves told the magazine that he had sexually harassed them between the 1980s and the late 2000s. Two of them also claimed that Moonves had physically intimidated them or threatened to derail their careers.
Thirty former and current employees alleged gender discrimination or retaliation for refusing sexual advances at the company. The company promoted men accused of sexual misconduct during Moonves’ tenure, the report claimed, adding that the company paid settlements to women who had made such complaints.
In a statement to The New Yorker, Moonves said that the company had promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all employees during his tenure. “I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances,” he told the magazine. “Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely.”
Moonves further said: “But I always understood and respected – and abided by the principle – that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career. This is a time when we all are appropriately focused on how we help improve our society, and we at CBS are committed to being part of the solution.”
CBS in a statement said no misconduct claims have been made against Moonves during his tenure at the company. CBS said it does not believe the “picture of our company created in The New Yorker represents a larger organisation that does its best to treat its tens of thousands of employees with dignity and respect”.
“Upon the conclusion of that investigation, which involves recently reported allegations that go back several decades, the board will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action,” the statement read, according to The New York Times.
In November, CBS had fired veteran TV journalist Charlie Rose, 76, after 10 women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Moonves, 68, became the president of CBS Entertainment in 1995 and the chief executive of the company in 2006.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!