Matt Lauer reportedly 'broken' one week after 'Today' show firing

Matt Lauer is reportedly "broken" one week after his shocking firing from NBC's the "Today" show following a "detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior."

According to a new People source, the 20-year "Today" vet has been having a difficult time dealing with the aftermath of his sudden ousting.

SEE ALSO: Inside Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer's 'Today' show relationship

"He is weak and broken and ashamed by his own admission," a Lauer colleague told People. "He is my friend. He is human, and he is flawed. But is he going to use his power to be a predator on women? Until I see solid evidence of that, I just can't believe it. We don't know the details."

In the days following Lauer's firing, however, numerous women came forward to NBC with additional stories of Lauer's alleged sexual misconduct in the workplace.

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According to The New York Times, one woman reported that Lauer summoned her to his office and sexually assaulted her in 2001. During the alleged encounter, the woman says that Lauer pulled down her pants, bent her over a chair and assaulted her and that she was taken to a nurse after the alleged encounter, durig which she passed out.

In a separate Variety report, unnamed women alleged that Lauer had a pattern of inappropriate behavior at "Today" and even had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door without getting up. Another woman told Variety that Lauer allegedly exposed himself to her and scolded her for not engaging in sexual activity with him.

Sources close to the situation say that the initial complaint that resulted in Lauer's firing came from a woman who engaged in an "inappropriate" affair that started when Lauer came onto the NBC staffer during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

SEE ALSO: Why is there no clear Matt Lauer replacement on the 'Today' show? Sources say Lauer's to blame

Lewd photos and texts sent by Lauer during their reported affair "showed incontrovertible proof of inappropriate sexual behavior on his part," Page Six reported last week.

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"There's at least one picture [sent to her by Matt] which was a major part of the evidence, which is why the firing came so quickly," a source told Page Six. "My understanding was it was so damning that it was unquestionable whether or not he should be fired."

One day after being fired, Lauer released a statement on the "Today" show that said that "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."

"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," Lauer said. "To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this, I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC."

SEE ALSO: Matt Lauer and wife Annette Roque 'lived separately' before sexual misconduct scandal, source says

Since the end of last week, Lauer has deleted all of his social media profiles. He fled New York City to spend time with his family at their house in the Hamptons, where he's been spotted no less than two times. The first time, he was seen giving an envelope to a well-known attorney and the second time he flashed his wedding ring while entering a gate code from his car.

Despite his former co-hosts' despair about his firing, Lauer's absence from "Today" has made a positive impact on the show's ratings. For the first time in three months, it was the nation's most-watched morning show, besting rival "Good Morning America."

See photos of Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie together:

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