A report claiming that Matt Lauer was seeking a $30million payday drew a strong response from executives at NBC on Friday.
A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to DailyMail.com that Lauer would not be receiving any payday or salary beyond his last day of work at the network.
That was first reported by CNN, who noted that Lauer’s morals clause likely allows NBC to withhold his salary.
It was also noted that Lauer could choose to sue the network in an attempt to receive additional pay, but they will not agree to hand over any money to the disgraced anchor.
NBC News has confirmed that Matt Lauer will not be receiving a $30million payout
Also on Friday, a memo sent to staff by NBC News Chairman Andy Lack revealed that an internal investigation as underway into the matter of Lauer’s ‘appalling behavior.’
‘A team of the most experienced NBCUniversal Legal and Human Resources leaders have begun a thorough and timely review of what happened and what we can do to build a culture of greater transparency, openness and respect for each other,’ read the memo.
‘At the conclusion of the review we will share what we’ve learned, no matter how painful, and act on it.’
The former NBC host was seen in a jeep as he drove out from behind the gates of his $33million estate on Thursday while still wearing his wedding ring.
He headed into town where he met with his lawyer friend, Eddie Burke Jr.
Lauer was seen handing Burke, who specializes in real estate, negligence and criminal law, an envelope moments after stepping out of his car. He then got back into the vehicle and headed home.
Burke previously defended basketball star Jason Kidd when he was charged with drunk driving shortly after the then-Brooklyn Nets coach was hit with a misdemeanor drunken driving charge after a 2012 crash.
Lauer’s mid-morning outing came shortly after Today read the ex-anchor’s full apology on the air at the start of the program on Thursday.
It was also noted that Lauer could choose to sue the network in an attempt to receive additional pay, but they will not agree to hand over any money to the disgraced anchor
‘There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry,’ said Lauer.
‘The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my troubling flaws. It has been humbling.
‘Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized. But there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.
‘I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.’
Over on ABC, Today rivals Good Morning America disputed the network’s claims that no ‘current executives’ knew of Lauer’s sexual misconduct, saying that claims was ‘at odds’ with their own reporting on the scandal.
The only morning show not to be rocked by a sex scandal over the past few weeks also got a bit glib, with ABC reporter Linsey Davis telling viewers ‘some of the details that emerged are simply too graphic for morning television.’
Davis then went on to fully detail every public allegation that has been made against Lauer.
‘It appeared to be an open secret from your reporting,’ Robin Roberts said to Davis, adding that Andy Lack ‘doubled down overnight saying unequivocally there were no complaints before Monday night.’
Roberts then said to Davis: ‘That’s at odds with your reporting.’
Lauer was seen meeting his lawyer friend, Eddie Burke Jr, near his home in the Hamptons on Thursday after his spectacular firing
Davis responded: ‘It is at odds with our reporting. We had talked to dozens of former and current staffers who say that there was general knowledge within all ranks of NBC between staffers, high ranking executives, other anchors that were on air with Lauer.’
Natalie Morales also spoke about the fallout in the wake of these revelations on Access Hollywood.
‘Savannah, Hoda and Al putting on a brave show at last night’s Christmas tree lighting. All smiles with the clear tension,’ noted Morales.
‘Al did put out the nice Instagram pic, not this one, but this was yesterday as the show, they were discovering the news.’
Morales then went on to discuss the amount of work that had to be done prior to air time by the three and the crew at NBC.
‘It had to be really hard because the producers had to edit out some of the segments because some of the singers were prerecorded and they had to edit around Matt’s part because he had did parts of the introductions,’said Morales, going on to say that people she spoke with at the network were ‘shocked’ at the new claims.
‘And it all unfolded live as you saw on TV yesterday, with Savannah and Hoda and Al on TV all processed it as they were getting tha,t and they really delivered such heartfelt emotions in that very raw moment and, you know, I can’t say enough about how well they handled that.’
Morales went on to say: ‘And they really learned about this just moments before going on the air.’
She then confirmed reports that the email was sent to staff announcing the news 10 minutes before ‘Today’ aired on Wednesday.