CBS investigating CEO Leslie Moonves over allegations of sexual misconduct

Clark Mindock
Updated
The investigation was announced ahead of a forthcoming report detail allegations against Mr Moonves: AFP/Getty
The investigation was announced ahead of a forthcoming report detail allegations against Mr Moonves: AFP/Getty

American television broadcast company CBS says that it has begun investigating sexual misconduct allegations raised against CEO Leslie Moonves after reports of an upcoming expose to be published in The New Yorker magazine.

The investigation was announced by the company’s independent board, which issued a statement saying that it takes allegations of misconduct seriously. The statement comes ahead of an anticipated report in The New Yorker that accuses Mr Moonves of unwanted kissing and touching.

“The independent directors of CBS have committed to investigating claims that violate the company’s clear policies in that regard,” the statement from the directors reads.

It continues: “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 New Yorker is reportedly preparing to publish the report Friday after months of investigation by reporter Ronan Farrow, who received a Pulitzer Prize last year for his work to uncover allegations of sexual harassment and rape by Harvey Weinstein, a massively influential Hollywood producer at the time.

Those reports sparked an intense public discussion around the experience women have in the workplace, especially in Hollywood, and resulted in allegations made against dozens of men.

Mr Moonves is considered to be one of the most influential people in entertainment, and has been credited with helping bring CBS’ television operations back from the brink of financial ruin and turning it into a powerhouse company.

Under his leadership, the network has produced ratings hits such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Survivor, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Big Bang Theory, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Mr Moonves is 68-years-old, and is married. He previously worked as the president of Warner Bros Television, where he oversaw a team that created ER, and Friends. He joined CBS in 1995.