Disgraced former Today show co-anchor Matt Lauer has responded to the sexual misconduct allegations that prompted him NBC to fire him on Tuesday.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a female staffer reported Lauer’s alleged sexually inappropriate behavior to NBC on Monday, and on Tuesday night NBC news director Andy Lack announced Lauer’s firing in a statement.
The New York Post initially reported that Lauer had been accused on Monday of sexual assault, but later updated its story to reflect that the accuser said he sexually harassed her.
But within hours of the revelations, both Variety and the New York Times published reports citing multiple additional accusers. Among them, one woman claimed Lauer exposed himself to her in his office and reprimanded her when she did not respond to his advances. Another former staffer said she had sex with Lauer in his office, claiming she felt “helpless” to resist his proposition.
The Variety report also claimed that Lauer had a button on his desk that locked his office door from the inside.
Lauer gave a statement to CNN, apologizing for his behavior while also denying that all of the accusations are true. The full statement is included below:
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. 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.
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. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.
“Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.”
[Feature image: Associated Press]
