The CBS board of directors is actively investigating its CEO Leslie Moonves after a report in the New Yorker details the accounts of six women who allege sexual misconduct.
Known as a man who can “make or break” someone’s career with his clout, the 68-year-old Moonves is fighting decades-old allegations that could tarnish his reputation.
It all started with an article written by Ronan Farrow for the New Yorker which detailed the account of an actress/writer for CBS and multiple encounters with the CEO. The company, prepared for the allegations, immediately issued a statement.
“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 board plans to hire an independent firm to take over the investigation. Moonves status will not change as CEO and the board voiced its “full support” of the leader in CBS’ entertainment industry.
Dozens of employees confirm the allegations are true. In the New Yorker article, four of the six women accuse Moonves of forcibly touching or kissing during business routines.
They say it was a “practiced routine.” Two accuse him of physically threatening or derailing their careers.
Actresses Illeana Douglas, said in the startling interview with The New Yorker that her career as a writer suffered after she rejected Moonves advances. “What happened to me was a sexual assault, and then I was fired for not participating,” she said.
Following the #MeToo movement, allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation and assault have been made on many high-powered celebrities. The resurfacing of these accounts is celebrated by sexual abuse survivors as revisiting them come with reliving trauma.
Moonves earned close to $70 million last year and reigns in the title as one of the highest-paid corporate executives in the world. In light of the allegations, Moonves is one of the founders of the Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace, chaired by Anita Hill.
The legal timing for CBS creates a larger shadow over Moonves, as the company faces another battle with its parent company, National Amusements Inc. (NAI), for control of the company.
Moonves and Shari Redstone, vice chairman of CBS Corporation, Viacom and NAI, are set to go head-to-head in a Delaware courtroom in October of this year. The two have had complications over the strategic direction of CBS.
CBS filed a lawsuit against NAI in May that accused it of breaching fiduciary duty by going against the interests of CBS shareholders. The two have different ideas about the direction of CBS; NAI wanting to pursue a younger audience and CBS wanting to continue friendly competition within cable and satellite distributors.
A Variety article suggests Moonves would be hard to replace if he were to be forced out of his position should the sexual misconduct have a strong enough hand. His is lauded for his creative skills and ideas about shows and celebrities, which have paved the way for a highly-successful career during his tenure.
CBS responded to the article in the New Yorker saying,
“CBS is very mindful of all workplace issues and takes each report of misconduct very seriously. We do not believe, however, that the picture of our company created in The New Yorker represents a larger organization that does its best to treat its tens of thousands of employees with dignity and respect. We are seeing vigorous discourse in our country about equality, inclusion, and safety in the workplace, and CBS is committed to being part of the solution to those important issues.”