CBS head resigns as sexual allegations mount
NEW YORK: Leslie Moonves, the top executive at CBS Corp since 2006 and a major figure at the broadcast network and media company for more than two decades, resigned yesterday amid a new wave of allegations against him of sexual assault and harassment.
His departure as chairman, CEO and president was confirmed by the company in a statement coinciding with its announcement of a deal to end litigation against majority CBS shareholder Shari Redstone and National Amusements Inc for control of CBS.
Chief operating officer Joe Ianiello will take over as interim CEO.
The announcement came after six more women accused Moonves of sexual assault and harassment in a report published yesterday in the New Yorker magazine. The newly disclosed incidents, which the women said occurred between the 1980s and early 2000s, included claims of forced sex, Moonves exposing himself and his alleged use of physical violence and intimidation.
‘‘Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me that are not consistent with who I am. Effective immediately I will no longer be chairman and chief executive officer of CBS,’’ Moonves said in a statement yesterday. Moonves, who turned CBS from an ageing radio and TV broadcaster into a successful provider of shows to digital platforms, was expected to reap an estimated $US100 million ($NZ153 million) in severance. But the 68yearold could end up with nothing pending an investigation into the allegations of violence against women conducted by law firms hired by an independent committee of the CBS board of directors.
CBS said it and Moonves would donate $US20 million of Moonves’ severance to organisations supporting the #MeToo movement.
In a statement to the New Yorker, Moonves said: ‘‘The appalling accusations in this article are untrue,’’ but admitted three of the newly described encounters, calling them consensual. —