NYTimes Decides To Not Fire Political Reporter

Glenn Thrush (Times photo)

The New York Times said on Wednesday that Glenn Thrush, one of the paper’s most prominent political reporters, would remain suspended until late January and then be removed from the team covering the White House after he faced allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.

The decision came a month after the website Vox published a report that contained allegations from four female journalists of inappropriate behavior by Thrush. After learning Vox planned to run its article, which was published on Nov. 20, The Times began an investigation into Thrush’s conduct.

The inquiry was led by Charlotte Behrendt, a lawyer in the Times newsroom, and involved interviews with more than 30 people in New York and Washington, both inside and outside The Times, according to a person briefed on the process. Ms. Behrendt compiled a report with her findings that was reviewed by Dean Baquet, the executive editor, and a group of top editors.

In a statement, Mr. Baquet said the company had completed its inquiry and found that Mr. Thrush had “behaved in ways that we do not condone.”

“While we believe that Glenn has acted offensively, we have decided that he does not deserve to be fired,” Baquet said.

Baquet also said Mr. Thrush was undergoing counseling and substance abuse rehabilitation on his own and that he would receive training “to improve his workplace conduct.”

“We understand that our colleagues and the public at large are grappling with what constitutes sexually offensive behavior in the workplace and what consequences are appropriate,” Baquet added. “Each case has to be evaluated based on individual circumstances. We believe this is an appropriate response to Glenn’s situation.”

Mr. Thrush, 50, has been suspended without pay since late November. The four women in the Vox article described Mr. Thrush’s behavior as including unwanted kissing and touching. One of the women, Laura McGann, wrote the article, which was presented in the first person. The three other women cited in the article were not identified by name.