Report: NBC Paid off Worker Who Accused Chris Matthews of Sexual Harassment

Questions of lack of transparency and conflict of interest abound as the NBC probe into sexual misconduct in the workplace remains an internal review process. A view of signage on the entrance to NBC Studios, Nov. 29, 2017 in New York City. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

NBC paid a significant sum of money to an assistant producer on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews” for two decades after she complained that he sexually harassed her, according to The Daily Caller.

NBC allegedly paid the woman $40,000 to settle her claim against Matthews in 1999, and an NBC spokesperson told the Daily Caller that the network had paid a smaller, unspecified amount as part of a severance package.

For its report, the Daily Caller cited two unnamed sources.

An MSNBC spokesman told The Daily Caller that Matthews received a formal reprimand when the woman made the complaint against him.

“In 1999 this matter was thoroughly reviewed and dealt with. At that time Matthews received a formal reprimand,” an MSNBC spokesperson told NBC News of the allegations.

Matthews was accused of making inappropriate jokes and comments about the female staffer in front of other employees, according to NBC News.

The report comes just weeks after NBC fired longtime “Today” host Matt Lauer after he was accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Matthews has yet to comment on the sexual harassment allegations.

Matthews has been on “Hardball” since 1997, and the title comes from a book that he wrote in 1988, NBC reported.

NBC on Dec. 8 said that it would set up harassment-prevention training for all of its employees. Meanwhile, it would also carry out a “culture assessment” in its NBC News division.

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