Matt Lauer has been fired from Today after a colleague ‘inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace’ it was announced on Wednesday.
‘This is a sad morning here at Today and NBC News,’ said a tearful Savannah Guthrie while revealing the news at the start of the popular morning show.
Guthrie then read the letter that NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack had sent to employees just moments before, which stated that Lauer’s alleged offense may not have been an ‘isolated incident.’
Fired: Matt Lauer has been axed over sexual misconduct claims
‘On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. 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.
‘Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender.
Axed: Matt Lauer pictured center with co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb has been fired
‘We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. But we will face it together as a news organization – and do it in as transparent a manner as we can.’
The Today Show released this statement: ‘Matt Lauer has been terminated from NBC News. On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.’
Lauer has been co-anchor of NBC News’ Today since January 6, 1997. He initially started at NBC in 1992 when he filled in as a newsreader on The Today Show. In January 1994 he joined the show full-time as a news anchor.
Since joining the network he carried out a number of noteworthy interviews. In November 2010 he interviewed former president George W Bush in his first one-on-one interview since leaving the Oval office.
He also sat down with President Barack Obama in several exclusive one-on-ones since he was elected in 2008. In June 2010, Obama told Lauer he wanted to know, “whose ass to kick,” regarding the devastating oil spill in the Gulf.
In June 2009 after Michael Jackson’s death Lauer went inside Neverland Ranch for a behind-the-scenes look inside the King of Pop’s world. He also talked with Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales in June 2006, in their first-ever American television interview to commemorate the tenth anniversary of their mother, Princess Diana’s, tragic death.