Former NBC "Today" anchor Matt Lauer released a statement on Thursday in response to his firing for "inappropriate sexual behavior."
The statement, read by his former "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, expressed "sorrow and regret" while pushing back on some stories as potentially being "untrue or mischaracterized."
"To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC," Lauer wrote.
"Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed," he added.
Lauer was fired on Wednesday following an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. NBC chairman Andrew Lack told staff it was the first complaint against Lauer, but there was reason to believe it "may not have been an isolated incident."
"While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident," Lack wrote in the email announcing Lauer's firing.
Following the announcement, the New York Times released a piece describing conversations they had with more a half dozen employees who described Lauer's behavior, and that reported two additional women have come forward with complaints.
The "Today" show caters to — and relies on — an overwhelmingly female audience, and Mr. Lauer is part of a cast that presents itself as a tight-knit family. Behind the scenes, however, the on-set environment could sometimes resemble a boys’ club, particularly in the years before Comcast completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2013, according to interviews with more than half a dozen former staff members.
Jokes about women’s appearances were routine, the former employees said. One former producer recalled a director saying he "wanted some milk" in reference to one woman’s chest and making inappropriate comments about women over an audio feed with multiple people listening. Two former employees recalled colleagues playing a crude game in which they chose which female guests or staff members they would prefer to marry, kill or have sex with.
Variety also published scathing details from a two-month investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against Lauer, and complaints from three other women who identified themselves as victims of sexual harassment by the former "Today" host.
"There were a lot of consensual relationships, but that’s still a problem because of the power he held," said a former producer with first-hand knowledge of the encounters. "He couldn’t sleep around town with celebrities or on the road with random people because he’s Matt Lauer and he’s married. So he’d have to do it within his stable, where he exerted power, and he knew people wouldn’t ever complain."
Lauer's firing follows increased national dialogue on the issue after a string of high-profile figures have been accused of sexual misconduct, including Hollywood mogul and Democratic donor Harvey Weinstein, Comedian Louis C.K., Actor Kevin Spacey and Journalist Charlie Rose.
Lauer's full statement:
There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC," Lauer said.
"Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.
"Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching, and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace," he added.
View the full "Today" segment here: