Matt Lauer disputes some sexual misconduct allegations, but feels ‘embarrassed and ashamed’

November 30, 2017 at 08:49

Reports dropped after his firing that accused the former NBC News titan of being a predator throughout 30 Rock.

Former “Today” powerhouse Matt Lauer disputed some to the sexual misconduct allegations against him in his first public statement — but admitted to the bulk of what’s levied against him.

“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,” Lauer said in a statement issued Thursday morning. “I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.”

NBC News axed Lauer a day earlier, after a woman filed a “detailed” complaint filed Monday night accusing him of inappropriate behavior that reportedly becan at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Reports dropped after his firing that accused the former NBC News titan of being a predator throughout 30 Rock.

Matt Lauer’s statement following firing for sexual misconduct

Lauer didn’t specify what might have been “untrue or mischaracterized.”

The longtime host — who’d recently covered the sexual harassment allegations against other newsmen — had a history of coming on to female colleagues, according to reports.

AP PROVIDES ACCESS TO THIS THIRD PARTY PHOTO SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE NEWS REPORTING OR COMMENTARY ON FACTS DEPICTED IN IMAGE; MUST BE USED WITHIN 14 DAYS FROM TRANSMISSION; NO ARCHIVING; NO LICENSING; MANDATORY CREDIT. — Lauer apologized for his action, while saying some of the accusations were mischaracterized.
(NATHAN CONGLETON/AP)

He even gave a sex toy to one female employee for her birthday, Variety reported, alongside a note about using it on her.

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NBC News boss Andrew Lack decided to oust Lauer — who collected about $25 million a year — after the woman came forward on Monday night.

SEE IT: Guthrie, Kelly emotionally address Lauer firing from NBC

Lack said Wednesday it was the first complaint NBC News received in the decades Lauer worked at the company, but there was reason to believe more inappropriate acts were out there.

Axing one of the network’s highest-paid talents left his “Today” colleagues in shock as they delivered the news of his firing.

Again, on Thursday, they read Lauer’s statement, in which he said he wants to fix what he’s done.

Co-anchors Hoda Kotb (left) and Savannah Guthrie, seen on Wednesday, after breaking the news that Lauer had been fired.
(CRAIG RUTTLE/AP)

“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” Lauer said. “To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”

Lauer is the latest big-name anchor nudged out after reports of sexual misconduct.

A week earlier, “CBS This Morning” host Charlie Rose was let go by his network, while MSNBC political analyst Mark Halperin was booted in October.

Bill O’Reilly, once the rainmaker for Fox News, was fired earlier this year after it was revealed he and the network settled several lawsuits over the years.