Les Moonves Has Reached a Settlement to Leave CBS

Reports indicate an official announcement will come Monday
By Josh Gardner,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 9, 2018 2:15 PM CDT
Les Moonves Will Soon Be Out as CBS Chief
Les Moonves poses at the premiere of the new television series "Star Trek: Discovery."   (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

CBS chief Les Moonves will imminently leave his post as chairman and CEO of the media giant, per CNN. According to the report, Moonves has been locked in a legal battle with controlling shareholder Shari Redstone and a settlement hadn't been finalized until Sunday, the same day Ronan Farrow published a second report alleging more women have accused Moonves of sexual misconduct. Published in the New Yorker, the report contains claims from women who say Moonves forced them to perform sex acts, and others who say he hurt the careers of those who turned him down.

According to Deadline, Moonves responded to the New Yorker report in a statement that claimed three of the six accusations were from women with whom he had consensual encounters. "I have never used my position to hinder the advancement or careers of women," wrote Moonves, who went on to characterize accusations of any misconduct as "part of a concerted effort by others to destroy my name." CBS had reportedly hired two law firms to investigate prior claims against Moonves, who will be exiting the company before the investigation concludes. Per the CNN report, CBS plans to officially announce Moonves' exit sometime Monday. (More Les Moonves stories.)

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