MSNBC analyst ousted over sexual misconduct

Los Angeles Times

NEW YORK — The multimedia career of political journalist and author Mark Halperin is on shaky ground after a report that he sexually harassed five women during his tenure at ABC News.

It was the latest instance of harassment claims against a towering figure in American media.

Just hours after the publication of the CNN report late Wednesday, Mr. Halperin was pulled from his contributor’s role at MSNBC and NBC News. Plans for an HBO miniseries based on his reporting in the 2016 presidential campaign were scrapped by the premium cable network, and the next season of the Showtime documentary series “The Circus” appears in doubt. And by Thursday evening, his publisher, Penguin Press, said in a statement that it had canceled plans for the book entirely, “in light of the recent news.”

Five women who worked with Mr. Halperin whenhe was political director of ABC News in the early 2000s told CNN that he propositioned them or touched them inappropriately while on the job. Three women said Mr. Halperin pressed up against them while having an erection. None complained to ABC’shuman resources department about his behavior. The accusers spoke to CNN on the condition of anonymity.

The accusations against Mr. Halperin join the growing maelstrom of sexual harassment and assault charges.