Matt Lauer was fired this morning over allegations that he had sexually harassed a female NBC employee during the Sochi Olympics. The reprisal was swift — at least, in part, NBC News chairmain Andy Lack revealed, because there indications it “may not have been an isolated incident.” Now, the gory details are trickling out.The venerated newsman routinely propositioned female employees, according to a two-month investigation just published in Variety. Among the revelations in the disturbing report:
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- Lauer had a switch under his office desk that allowed him to lock the door without getting up, allowing him to make inappropriate advances on female staffers without worrying about being walked in on. His office was also located in a “secluded area,” the report says.
- During one such encounter, he allegedly exposed himself to a female employee and lectured her when she refused to engage.
- Another female staffer said he gave her a sex toy along with a note detailing how he wanted to use it on her. None of the women wanted to speak on record for fear of professional reprisals.
- He also reportedly made comments about employees’ sexual prowess in reference to how they did their jobs.