Tom Brokaw denied the allegations made by former NBC employee Linda Vester in a scathing email that was sent to the legendary anchor’s co-workers and friends on Friday.
‘It is 4:00 am on the first day of my new life as an accused predator in the universe of American journalism,’ writes Brokaw.
‘I was ambushed and then perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship.’
Brokaw went on to write about the incredible hurt this accusation caused him, as well as the hate he has for his accuser.
Tom Brokaw sent an email
‘I am angry, hurt and unmoored from what I thought would be the final passage of my life and career, a mix of written and broadcast journalism, philanthropy and participation in environmental and social causes that have always given extra meaning to my life, noted Brokaw.
‘Instead I am facing a long list of grievances from a former colleague who left NBC News angry that she had failed in her pursuit of stardom.’
He continued: ‘She has unleashed a torrent of unsubstantiated criticism and attacks on me more than twenty years after I opened the door for her and a new job at Fox news.’
Brokaw then tried to explain what happened between himself and Vester on the night in question, while also criticizing how the press handled the claims.
‘Linda Vester was given the run of the Washington Post and Variety to vent her grievances, to complain that I tickled her without permission (you read that right), that I invaded her hotel room, accepted an invitation to her apartment under false pretenses and in general was given a free hand to try to destroy all that I have achieved with my family, my NBC career, my writing and my citizenship,’ stated Brokaw.
‘My family and friends are stunned and supportive. My NBC colleagues are bewildered that Vester, who had limited success at NBC News, a modest career at Fox and a reputation as a colleague who had trouble with the truth was suddenly the keeper of the flame of journalistic integrity.’