01-31-2019
The former chief executive of CBS, Les Moonves, is challenging the decision by CBS to withhold his severance. Moonves was removed from his position after numerous women came forward claiming he had “engaged in multiple acts of serious nonconsensual sexual misconduct in and outside of the workplace, both before and after he came to CBS in 1995.” 12 women reported their complaints of sexual harassment and assault to the New York Times.Two outside law firms, Debevoise & Plimpton and Covington & Burling were engaged to conduct an independent investigation into whether Mr. Moonves violated the terms of his employment agreement. Moonves is accused of destroying evidence and misleading investigators, thus leading to the termination of his severance package. The investigation and its final report have not yet been completed. The New York Times reported on an early version of the report that showed the attorneys had interviewed 11 of the 17 women who accused Moonves and found their stories credible. They also wrote that he received oral sex from at least four CBS employees that sounded “transactional and improper.”
Mr. Moonves denied engaging in nonconsensual relationships. According to Bloomberg Business, he has earned over $1 billion in salary, bonuses, taxable perks, exercised options, and vested restricted shares during his time at CBS. He filed for arbitration in accordance with his employment agreement.