NBC/Peter Kramer(NEW YORK) — Matt Lauer, longtime NBC Today show host, has been fired for alleged “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.”
His visibly shaken Today co-host, Savannah Guthrie, reported the news at the top of the morning show Wednesday.
“This is a sad morning here at Today and NBC news,” said Gurthir, explaining that NBC News Chairman Andy Lack terminated Lauer following what Lack called “a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer.”
Here’s the full statement from Lack:
“Dear Colleagues,
“On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after 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 in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.
“Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions.”
Guthrie also said: “We learned this moments ago, just this morning. As you can imagine, we are devastated and we are still processing all of this. I will tell you, we do not know more than what I just shared with you. But we will be covering this story, as reporters, as journalists.”
“I’m heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he is beloved by many, many people here,” Guthrie continued. “And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague that came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”
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