Moonves steps down from CBS

Over the weekend CBS chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves stepped down from his role after 24 years with the company.

Les Moonves

Moonves released an official statement on Sunday revealing his departure, after battling repeated accusations of sexual harassment.

Initial harassment claims were made in July, after Ronan Farrow published details of claims made against the executive by six women.

One of the women was Six Feet Under star Illeana Douglas, who claimed that Moonves forcibly kissed and touched her in the workplace.

Since the accusations were made, CBS board members have met repeatedly to decide the best course of action as a result of the claims.

While Moonves remained with the company, the board sought outside counsel from legal firms Covington & Burlington and Debevoise & Plimpton to decide on the exec’s fate.

The final blow arrived over the weekend when six new assault and harassment claims were made against the CBS chief, as further reported by Ronan Farrow on The New Yorker.

On Sunday, Moonves said in a statement:

“For the past 24 years it has been an incredible privilege to lead CBS’s renaissance and transformation into a leading global media company. The best part of this journey has been working alongside the dedicated and talented people in this company. Together, we built CBS into a destination where the best in the business come to work and succeed.

“Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me that are not consistent with who I am.  Effective immediately I will no longer be Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CBS.

“I am deeply saddened to be leaving the company. I wish nothing but the best for the organization, the newly comprised board of directors and all of its employees.”

Moonves has been chief executive of the company since 2006. He has been key to transforming CBS in a turnaround effort with titles like The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon.

Recently Moonves had taken part in a legal battle with Shari Redstone, the leader of CBS’ parent company, National Amusements over a potential merger between CBS and Viacom.