NBC News fired popular “Today” show host Matt Lauer after receiving a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace, the network announced on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
“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,” NBC said in a statement.
Fellow “Today” co-host Al Roker briefly acknowledged the termination on air, stating that “we’re dealing with the news about a friend of 30 years and we’re all trying to process it.”
Lauer’s co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kot announced the news on Wednesday morning.
“This is a sad morning here at ‘Today’ and at NBC News,” Guthrie said.
Guthrie then went on to read a statement from NBC News chairman Andy Lack.
“Dear colleagues, on Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” Lack’s statement read.
“It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.”
Guthrie said she had only found out “moments ago” and that the “Today” team is “devastated” and still processing the news.
She said that NBC would be “covering the story as reporters.”
She added, “All we can say is that we are heartbroken. I’m heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner and he is beloved by many, many people here. And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”
Representatives for Lauer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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