New York DA Subpoenas CBS Over Investigations Into Les Moonves, ‘Cultural Issues’

Network “is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and related inquiries”

Les Moonves
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images

CBS is facing investigations by New York City and state officials over accusations of sexual misconduct leveled at former-CEO Leslie Moonves, as well as concerns about the company’s broader workplace culture.

“The Company has received subpoenas from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Commission on Human Rights regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters,” CBS said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. “The New York State Attorney General’s Office has also requested information about these matters. The Company may receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future.”

Moonves resigned earlier this month following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. Two separate New Yorker stories detailed accusations by 12 different women of sexual harassment or assault.

After the first story ran in July, the company hired two firms to investigate the accusations, as well as the broader workplace culture within CBS. Days after Moonves resigned, “60 Minutes” executive producer Jeff Fager, facing his own sexual misconduct allegations, was fired after sending a angry text message to a company reporter.

CBS continued in the filing: “The Company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and related inquiries.” A rep for CBS declined to comment beyond what was stated in the SEC filing.

Joe Ianniello, who has served as the company’s COO since 2013, took over as president and acting CEO, while the board searches for a permanent successor. In a separate SEC filing on Thursday, it was revealed Ianniello can leave the company “for good reason” (meaning he’ll get his full severance package) if either a permanent CEO isn’t named by June 30 or someone besides him gets the job.

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