CBS announced Friday that it is conducting an investigation into the behavior of longtime CEO Les Moonves after reports swirled that The New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow is planning a bombshell exposé on the Hollywood mogul.
“All allegations of personal misconduct are to be taken seriously,” CBS said in a statement. “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 timing of this report comes in the midst of the Company’s very public legal dispute,” the statement added. “While that litigation process continues, the CBS management team has the full support of the independent board members. Along with that team, we will continue to focus on creating value for our shareowners.”
The Hollywood Reporter said Friday morning that Mr. Farrow was set to publish a story later in the day accusing Mr. Moonves of unwanted kissing and touching that occurred more than 20 years ago, “as well as numerous claims that occurred more recently.”
Mr. Farrow won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting in The New Yorker exposing now-disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Mr. Moonves, who became CEO of CBS in 2003 and chairman at the company in 2016, is married to “Big Brother” Julie Chen. He is currently locked in a legal dispute with Shari Redstone, a media executive and the controlling shareholder of both CBS and Viacom. CBS and Mr. Moonves are fighting Ms. Redstone’s desire to merge the two companies.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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