TV newsman Matt Lauer has apologized for his behavior after he was fired by bosses at NBC for alleged sexual misconduct.
On Wednesday (29Nov17), NBC chiefs announced that Lauer had been dismissed as the co-anchor of breakfast news show Today after they received a “detailed” complaint of inappropriate behavior from a colleague.
Since his firing, The New York Times and Variety have both published other women’s accounts of the 59-year-old’s alleged misconduct.
In a statement released by NBC, Lauer wrote that he regretted his actions, although he contested some details of the reports.
A statement from Matt Lauer: “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions…” pic.twitter.com/f93rHXqKQD
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 30, 2017
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” his statement read. “To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realise the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.
“Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.”
He added that it was now his “full-time job” to repair the damage caused by his actions.
NBC News chairman Andy Lack announced Lauer’s dismissal in a statement sent to staff at the station. He wrote that the news anchor’s alleged behaviour represented a “clear violation” of the company’s standards. The statement was read on air by Lauer’s regular co-host Savannah Guthrie, who was joined by Hoda Kotb for Wednesday’s show.
According to Variety, the NBC employee’s complaint detailed Lauer’s inappropriate behaviour towards her over several months, beginning while they were working together at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
After interviewing NBC staff, Variety editors identified three women as victims of sexual harassment by the news host, while The New York Times reported two other women’s complaints against him.
