NBC released the results of its internal investigation focused on the sexual misconduct allegations that led to the firing of Matt Lauer last November. The report concluded that there is no evidence that leadership at NBC News, Today or human resources “received complaints” about Lauer’s “workplace behavior prior to November 27, 2017.” The investigation was led by NBCUniversal general counsel Kim Harris and included interviews with almost 70 current and former employees, including former executives Steve Capus, who was president of NBC News when Ann Curry was ousted from Today in 2012 and Jim Bell, who was Today’s executive producer during the same period. The probe also interviewed Pat Fili-Krushel, who ran the news division before Andy Lack.
According to the NBC report, the four women who accused Lauer of sexual misconduct late last year confirmed “that they did not tell their direct manager or anyone else in a position of authority about their sexual encounters with Lauer.” The report also says current and former “members of NBC News and Today Show leadership, as well as News HR, stated that they had never received a complaint about inappropriate workplace behavior by Lauer, and we did not find any contrary evidence,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.
NBC has been criticized for not hiring an outside investigation firm to handle the inquiry. THR writes that the results of the recent investigation are not likely to quell any of those critics. Many staffers told THR that they were not satisfied with NBC conducting its own investigation.
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