NBC has fired Matt Lauer, the lead host on “The Today Show,” after an employee filed a complaint about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
“Today” cohost Savannah Guthrie announced the news at the top of the program Wednesday morning, her voice breaking.
WATCH:
“Dear colleagues, on Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack wrote in a memo. “It represented, after a serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result we’ve decided to terminate his employment.”
“While it is the first complaint about his behavior over the twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident,” Lack continued. “Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter the offender.”
Al Roker and Matt Lauer of NBC’s “Today” greet fans at Rockefeller Plaza on June 23, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Guthrie said she is “heartbroken” for Lauer, a “dear, dear friend,” but said she was “heartbroken” for the colleague that came forward to share her story.
“How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly?” Guthrie asked.