CBS vows to investigate claims of harassment against CEO
CBS’ board on Friday addressed allegations that Chief Executive Leslie Moonves may be accused of sexual harassment, claims that are expected to be contained in a report that investigative reporter Ronan Farrow has been working on for several months.
“All allegations of personal misconduct are to be taken seriously,” CBS’ independent directors said in the statement that doesn’t specifically mention Moonves or the report. “The Independent Directors of CBS have committed to investigating claims that violate the company’s clear policies in that regard. 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 Hollywood Reporter first reported that Farrow, after months of investigation, would publish the Moonves story in the New Yorker on Friday.
CBS shares dropped more than 6 percent on the news of the expected report, which comes during a tumultuous time for the New York-based company and its embattled chief Moonves.
Farrow’s report, according to the Hollywood Reporter, would detail “unwanted kissing and touching” by Moonves.
It was unclear precisely when the alleged incidents occurred.
Moonves, 68, has been a titan of television for nearly three decades.
Before joining CBS in 1995 as the company’s entertainment president, Moonves ran Warner Bros. television, where he developed such blockbuster hits as “ER” and “Friends.”
He became chief executive of CBS in 2006 when controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone divided his empire into two publicly traded companies, CBS and Viacom Inc.
Moonves has been married to Julie Chen, who hosts the CBS’ daytime show “The Talk,” since 2004.
The article apparently contains allegations of misconduct, including “forcible kissing,” in the 1980s and 1990s, according to a person who was aware of the reporting but not allowed to publicly discuss it.
A spokesperson for Moonves declined comment.