NBC Fires Matt Lauer

Matt Lauer, the co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show since 1997, has been fired for inappropriate behavior in the workplace, the show said Wednesday morning.

Matt Lauer

“On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident,” Lack wrote.

“Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender.

“We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. But we will face it together as a news organization – and do it in as transparent a manner as we can. To that end, Noah and I will be meeting with as many of you as possible throughout the day today to answer your questions.”

A source told Page Six at The NYPost, “An NBC staffer come forward with a claim that Matt sexually assaulted her at the Olympics. There have been rumors about Matt having affairs with subordinates at NBC for years, but those were believed to be consensual. This incident in Rio was not.”

His wife, Annette, famously filed for divorce in 2006, accusing him of “cruel and inhumane” behavior, but withdrew the filing a month later after they reached a private agreement. They ostensibly live separate lives, she living full time in the Hamptons with their children, while Matt resides in the city during the week.

Losing Lauer, the biggest star of NBC’s news division, is a major blow to the network at a time when it is leaning on “Today” as much as ever to be a financial powerhouse. The morning program is a half-billion dollar enterprise, reports The Wall Street Journal.

“Today” has taken back the No. 1 ratings position in the key demographic of adults 25 to 54 from ABC’s “Good Morning America” after falling behind in 2012, even as both have declined markedly on an absolute basis since then. GMA remains on top in total viewers.

Lauer is the latest major figure in the media world to face allegations of sexual misconduct, as companies scramble to deal with the issue. Just a week ago, CBS News and PBS fired Charlie Rose after the veteran news anchor was accused of harassment. A range of other media figures, from movie mogul Harvey Weinstein to Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly, have also left their positions or been fired after accusations of harassment.

Lack said it was the first complaint lodged against Lauer, 59, for his behavior since he took over as anchor of the show in 1997, but there was "reason to believe" it may not have been an isolated incident.

"Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender," Lack said.

Guthrie said, "As I'm sure you can imagine, we are devastated and we are still processing all of this."

"I will tell you right now we do not know more than what I just shared with you, but we will be covering this story as reporters, as journalists. I'm sure we will be learning more details in the hours and days to come. And we promise we will share that with you."

On the April 5, 2012 Lauer announced that he had signed a new contract with NBC News through 2017. The contract reportedly paid Lauer $25 million annually.

Although it was widely reported by gossip websites that Lauer had much to do with the departure of Ann Curry, his then co-host, these reports were later proven to be untrue. Ann Curry's departure was planned by then Today executive producer, Jim Bell. The plan was called "Operation Bambi". Lauer wanted Bell to delay the departure of Curry.

On November 30, 2016, it was announced that he signed a new contract through 2018. On January 6, 2017, Lauer celebrated his 20th anniversary on Today..