PBS has suspended the television talk show host and author Tavis Smiley following an investigation over sexual misconduct allegations.
PBS released a statement Thursday and announced that his late-night talk show Tavis Smiley would be suspended indefinitely.
The statement reads:
Effective today, PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of ‘Tavis Smiley,’ produced by TS Media, an independent production company, PBS engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation immediately after learning of troubling allegations regarding Mr. Smiley.
The statement continues,
This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to today’s decision
PBS hired attorney Sarah Taylor Wirtz, following sexual misconducts allegations- Wirtz conducted an investigation into Smiley's behavior. Wirtz reportedly took statements from Smiley and ten more witnesses of different races and employment levels.
It was found after the investigation; the 53-year-old host had sexual relations with multiple subordinates. As per the witness, he created a verbally abusive and threatening environment which went beyond expectation in a typical high-pressure work environment, Variety reported.
Smiley's half-hour talk show has been telecast since 2004 on the PBS network which airs in Southern California, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and few other areas.
Smiley's suspension comes around a month after PBS parted ways with talk show host Charlie Rose following sexual misconducts accusation by eight women. PBS terminated Rose after the Washington Post cited the accusations from the women.
