Matt Lauer Offers Apology (With a Caveat)
Stephanie Gosk, an NBC News correspondent, came on set to present a report on the allegations against Mr. Lauer, describing him as “one of the most high-profile faces of the sexual harassment firestorm engulfing this country.” Ms. Gosk confirmed a report in
that two additional women had filed complaints about Mr. Lauer to NBC News on Wednesday, in the hours after the anchor’s firing was announced, bringing the total number of complaints against him to three.
Matt Lauer expressed “sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused” in a statement on Thursday morning, his first public comments
after NBC News fired the star “Today” show anchor amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior with colleagues.
By Thursday, NBC had received at least three complaints related to Mr. Lauer, including from a former employee who said
that the anchor sexually assaulted her in his office in 2001.
As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
Mr. Lauer’s abrupt downfall comes amid a head-spinning series of harassment and abuse claims
that have toppled powerful men in journalism, comedy, Hollywood and Silicon Valley, including the movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and another famed television morning host, Charlie Rose of CBS.