CBS CEO Les Moonves Accused of Sexual Misconduct in New Yorker Exposé
Update: The New Yorker has published the report.
CBS CEO Les Moonves has been accused of sexual misconduct in an upcoming exposé written by journalist Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker.
The article, which will be published later today, includes allegations of unwanted kissing and touching that took place more than 20 years ago, during Moonves' first marriage to Nancy Wiesenfeld, as well as more recent claims.
Moonves, 68, is currently married to "Big Brother" and "The Talk" host Julie Chen, whom he wed in 2004.
In a statement, CBS said it will investigate the accusations. “All allegations of personal misconduct are to be taken seriously. 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.”
Farrow won a Pulitzer Prize for his exposé on Harvey Weinstein's alleged history of sexual assault and harassment. The journalist reportedly investigated Moonves and the culture at CBS for months.
Farrow, the reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged pattern of rape and sexual assault, is said to have investigated Moonves and the environment at CBS for months, as rumors swirled through the industry that such an article was in the works.
This isn't CBS' first bruising in the wave of #MeToo. The company fired longtime news anchor Charlie Rose after a Washington Post report brought to light that eight women had accused him of sexual misconduct. In May, the paper reported that CBS managers had been warned about Rose's behavior on three separate occasions and more than half of the additional 27 women who came forward with allegations were CBS employees.
Moonves joined CBS in 1995 and took the network from last to first place with steady procedural hits like "CSI" and "NCIS." He is CBS Corporation's CEO and Chairman of the Board.
The New Yorker report comes at a time when Moonves' professional life is in turmoil. He is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder in both CBS and Viacom. Their feud began when CBS fought against Redstone's proposed merger of the two companies.