Time’s Up released a new statement on Sunday praising the six new women who spoke on record on their “bone-chilling allegations of abuse, harassment and retaliation” against CBS CEO Les Moonves in The New Yorker.
“These allegations speak to a culture of toxic complicity at CBS, where the safety of women was continuously ignored to protect the careers of powerful men and the corporation,” the statement read. “The CBS Board of Directors has an obligation to move swiftly and decisively to create a safe work environment for all and rid the company of this toxic culture.”
Time’s Up also renewed their call for Moonves to be dismissed without an exit package. Previous news reports revealed that CBS had been considering giving Moonves $100 million in stocks upon his departure from the company, though that was before this Sunday’s new accusations which include coercion of oral sex, physical assault, and retaliation when the accusers refused Moonves’ advances.
“CBS, as you sit in a room debating next steps to rectify the damage done, remember that the world is watching,” Time’s Up said. “We will accept nothing less than full transparency of the investigation’s findings, a commitment to real change across all levels of CBS management and no reward for Les Moonves.”
Hours after The New Yorker published the new report, CNN’s Brian Stelter reported that Moonves will officially step down from CBS on Monday, ending a 23-year tenure at the company including 15 as CEO, during which CBS became one of the most stable networks on television. CNBC also added that the settlement between CBS and Moonves — which will also end the ongoing legal battle between CBS and Shari Redstone’s National Amusements — is still being finalized, with the possibility that Moonves may not receive any further compensation.
COO Joe Ianniello is expected to take over as interim CEO following Moonves’ departure. CBS and its board members have not responded to TheWrap’s requests for comment.