The CBS board of directors voted unanimously on Wednesday to retain two law firms — Covington & Burling and Debevoise & Plimpton — to investigate accusations of misconduct against CEO Les Moonves, as well as cultural issues at CBS News and “all levels of CBS.”
Significantly, the investigations will each be headed up by women, with Nancy Kestenbaum leading for Covington & Burling, and Mary Jo White for Debevoise & Plimpton.
CBS has also formed a special committee of board members that will assist the investigation. The committee will include CBS Corporate director Bruce S. Gordon, business management executive Linda Griego and attorney Robert N. Klieger. Gordon has also been named lead independent director of the Board of Directors.
Moonves will have no role in the investigation and, CBS said in a statement Wednesday night, will be “entirely recused” from it.
CBS “takes these allegations seriously and is committed to acting in the best interest of the Company and all of its shareholders,” the statement continued, “and is confident that the employees of CBS will continue to perform at a high level as this process unfolds.”
“Neither the Board nor the Company expects to comment further on this matter at this time,” the statement concluded.
Earlier Wednesday, Moonves stepped down from the Anita Hill-chaired special commission to combat sexual misconduct. The commission was designed to bring together the industry’s top decision makers to address causes of the problems of parity and power across the entertainment industry.
These 16 Hollywood Giants Gave $12.2 Million to Fight Sexual Harassment (Photos)
1 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
On Monday, more than 300 Hollywood women announced the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund to assist women (and men) who experience sexual harassment in the workplace. According to the group's GoFundMe page, 16 individuals and companies account for $12.2 million of the fund's initial endowment.
2 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Actress Kate Capshaw and director/producer Steven Spielberg’s Wunderkinder Foundation -- $2 million
3 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Creative Artists Agency -- $2 million
5 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
PR executive Katie McGrath and director JJ Abrams -- $1 million
6 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Hollywood talent agencies ICM Partners, United Talent Agency and William Morris Endeavor -- $1 million each
7 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Anonymous -- $1 million
9 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Actress Jennifer Aniston -- $500,000
10 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
"Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes -- $500,000
11 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Actress Meryl Streep -- $500,000
13 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Actress Reese Witherspoon -- $500,000
14 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Paradigm Talent Agency -- $500,000
15 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy -- $250,000
17 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
The Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Foundation -- $250,000
18 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
Singer Taylor Swift -- $100,000
19 of 20
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are among the lead donors to the new Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund for women in the workplace
