00:00CBS Corporation chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves, who has run the company since 2003,
00:05won't be suspended and will remain at work during an investigation into allegations of sexual
00:10misconduct. At least, that appears to be what was decided by the board of directors after a meeting
00:15on Monday. They met following sexual misconduct claims made against Moonves by six women in an
00:20investigation published by The New Yorker on July 27. The company said in a statement that its
00:25board of directors is in the process of selecting outside counsel to conduct an independent and
00:30investigation. No other action was taken on this matter at today's board meeting. Moonves is one
00:35of the most powerful and best-known executives in Hollywood. On July 27, the CBS board said ahead
00:40of The New Yorker story,
00:41all allegations of personal misconduct are to be taken seriously. The board also said that at the
00:47conclusion of the investigation, they will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action.
00:52In his own statement in response to the report, Moonves said in part,
00:55Throughout my time at CBS, we have promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all
01:00employees, and have consistently found success elevating women to top executive positions
01:05across our company. I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some
01:10women uncomfortable by making advances. Those were mistakes and I regret them immensely. But
01:15I always understood and respected and abided by the principle that no means no. And I have never
01:21misused my position to harm or hinder anyone's career. On Monday's episode of CBS's The Talk,
01:27Moonves' wife, Julie Chen, doubled down on her defense of her husband. She said at the start of the
01:32broadcast,
01:33Some of you may be aware of what's been going on in my life the past few days. I issued the
01:38one and only statement I will ever make on this topic on Twitter.
01:41And I will stand by that statement today, tomorrow, forever.
01:47Chen was referring to the tweet she sent on Friday which said in part,
01:50Leslie is a good man and loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader.
01:55He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and
02:00stand behind him and his statement.
02:02For more on this story, head to THR.com.
02:04Until next time, for The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Tiffany Taylor.
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