NBC News Launches Internal Review Following Lauer Allegations

(Bloomberg) -- NBC News is conducting an internal review into its workplace culture after allegations that “Today” show co-host Matt Lauer engaged in sexual misconduct with colleagues.

In a memo to staff Friday, NBC News Chairman Andy Lack said NBCUniversal’s legal and human resources representatives “have begun a thorough and timely review of what happened and what we can do to build a culture of greater transparency.” Lack pledged to share the results “no matter how painful, and act on it.”

The Comcast Corp.-owned network will also train employees to be more aware of sexual harassment and “appropriate behavior in the workplace,” Lack said in the memo obtained by Bloomberg News.

NBC announced the firing of Lauer, 59, on Wednesday after receiving a complaint about his behavior. Since then, Variety and the New York Times have published reports detailing a pattern of sexual harassment by the TV personality, who apologized Thursday.

“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,” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported that NBC has received at least two more complaints related to Lauer, including one from a former employee dating back to 2001.

Prior to Monday night, “current NBC News management was never made aware of any complaints about Matt Lauer’s conduct,” the organization said in a previous statement.

To contact the reporter on this story: Gerry Smith in New York at gsmith233@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Crayton Harrison at tharrison5@bloomberg.net, Jessica Brice

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