A new accuser has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against former CBS CEO Les Moonves. She is an actress who claims that Moonves accosted her in March of 1995.
The New York Times reported that the actress’s manager had arranged a meeting with Moonves at Warner Bros. in Burbank, California. She was told that he would get her an appointment with a major television show’s casting director. Back then, Moonves was the president for Warner Bros. Television.
Shortly after the meeting began, she said Moonves sexually assaulted her, and the act was interrupted by a phone call. She then escaped by fleeing the room. She later told her manager that the meeting did not go well, but did not elaborate.
Although Moonves later gave her an opportunity for work through the manager, she refused. The article stated that Moonves felt that the sexual encounter was consensual.
New Evidence
Moonves resigned from CBS last September, after 12 women had accused him of sexual misconduct in two New York Times articles. Moonves responded by denying the accusations, yet resigned eight hours after the second article ran. It was also reported that he was fired by the Board of Directors.
It was reported that Moonves attempted to find the latest accuser a job, possibly to gain her silence. There may be evidence of this in text messages between Moonves and a Hollywood manager. It was reported that the texts focused on getting her acting work to make up for the past sexual misconduct.
Moonves also told the manager not to email him, and provided two alternate phone numbers to use.
Moonves reportedly did not inform his lawyers about this, and when CBS’s Board of Directors found out, they consulted with their own legal team.
On the Line: $120 Million
Moonves was one of the highest-paid executives in the world, with reported earnings last year of close to 70 million dollars. After he left CBS, the Board placed $120 million in a trust to be used for his severance package. The money has not yet been released, and the Board may decide not to give it to him.
If it is determined that he attempted to silence his accuser, and that he was fired for cause, his severance may be taken away. Moonves’ employment contract stipulates that if he fails to cooperate in company investigations, this qualifies as cause.
Why the Latest Victim Spoke Out
Moonves has an industry-wide reputation for making and breaking careers, and many of his victims feared repercussions from speaking out. The most recent accuser had wanted to put the past behind her; but after stories ran in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and other media outlets, she realized that other women had been victimized.
When Moonves and his colleagues also tried to placate her with a job, she decided the time was right to act. She said that Moonves victimized her twice, causing a great deal of emotional and physical pain.
Middletown Sexual Harassment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Help Sexual Harassment Victims
Today more than ever, you do not have to put up with sexual harassment at work or anyplace else. Stand up for your rights by contacting the Middletown sexual harassment lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.
Call our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500, our Marlton office at 856-985-9800, our Newark office at 973-878-9040, or contact us at 888-396-0736 or online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout New Jersey.