CBS is consolidating its investigation into CBS News that came after the allegations against former anchor Charlie Rose into its larger probe into the company stemming from the sexual misconduct accusations against CEO Les Moonves.
Per a CBS News story on Tuesday, Proskauer Rose, the law firm that CBS had hired in March to investigate harassment claims at CBS News, was expected to release its findings this month. Their efforts will now be folded into the larger corporate probe being conducted by Covington & Burling and Debevoise & Plimpton.
Last week, the CBS board voted unanimously to retain the two law firms to investigate accusations of misconduct against Moonves, as well as cultural issues at CBS News and “all levels of CBS.”
The investigations will both be headed up by women, with Nancy Kestenbaum leading for Covington & Burling, and Mary Jo White for Debevoise & Plimpton.
CBS 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.
On Sunday, CBS News said that “60 Minutes” executive producer Jeff Fager would extend his summer vacation until the investigation concludes. At the time, the network had said it expected the internal inquiry to wrap up “soon.”
A representative for CBS News did not immediately respond when asked if there was an update to Fager’s status, now that the investigation is being folded into a larger one.