New York attorney general looking into sexual harassment concerns at NBC News
The New York state attorney general's office has contacted
multiple women who have raised concerns about sexual harassment at NBC News,
according to two people familiar with the matter, as part of an initial inquiry
into the concerns.
The inquiry, which is being conducted by the office's Civil
Division, is in a fact-finding stage after the women voiced their concerns
publicly, one of the people said. It is not a formal investigation, and there
is no indication that it will become one.
At least two of the women were interviewed in January during
meetings that were hours long, although the inquiry began earlier than that, a
second person said, adding that the inquiry was looking at sexual harassment,
gender discrimination and retaliation.
A spokesperson for the attorney general's office declined to
comment. The inquiry was first reported by DailyMail.com.
On Monday, NBCUniversal announced that NBC News Chairman
Andy Lack will step down at the end of the month as part of a larger corporate
reorganization.
During Lack's tenure, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly
made inappropriate remarks about blackface on the air in October 2018; NBC News
then took her off the air, and she left the company in early 2019. In late
2017, Lack went to the apartment of "TODAY" anchor Matt Lauer to fire
him following accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Lauer has denied
all allegations of nonconsensual sex.
An investigation conducted by NBC News and two law firms
found that NBC News executives, including Lack, did not know about any
allegations against Lauer until the complaint that led to his firing.
Several of the women interviewed by the attorney general's
office are represented by lawyer Doug Wigdor, including Kelly and Linda Vester,
a former correspondent who has accused retired "NBC Nightly News"
anchor Tom Brokaw of trying to kiss and grope her in the 1990s, a source told
NBC News. Brokaw has denied the allegation.
A spokeswoman for NBCUniversal said Tuesday afternoon that
the company was "unaware" of any investigation by the attorney
general's office.
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