NBC Execs Knew of Matt Lauer Allegations, Claims Variety Reporter to CNN

NBC Execs Knew of Matt Lauer Allegations, Claims VarietyReporter to CNN (Mediaite) 

Yesterday Variety published a damning report that outlined a number of horrific examples of the behavior that led to Matt Lauer’s sudden firing by NBC due to allegations of sexual misconduct. One of the bylines on that article was Ramin Setoodeh, who this morning appeared on CNN’s New Day with co-host Alisyn Camerota in what was the most compelling bit of news programming since this story broke Wednesday morning.

The interview opened with Lauer’s recent public apology but quickly turned to some of the awful details reported in the Variety expose that ostensibly led to NBC’s sudden action. Camerota then turned to the “rumors or whispers” of Lauer’s philandering behavior that have apparently been well known in some media circles for some time, before getting to the enormous question of what and when did NBC executives know about Lauer’s behavior.

NBC has made clear that they were unaware of this behavior via a press statement that said: “We can say unequivocally, that, prior to Monday night, current NBC News management was never made aware of any complaints about Matt Lauer’s conduct.”