As Les Moonves prepares to step down from CBS Corporation after 12 years at its helm, six more woman accused the media giant’s chief executive officer of sexual harassment and assault, according to Sunday report in the New Yorker.
Among the complaints levied against Moonves are allegations he forced women to perform oral sex on him and sought to damage the careers of those who rejected his advances.
In a statement to the publication, Moonves referred to relationships with three of the women as consensual.
“I have never used my position to hinder the advancement or careers of women. In my 40 years of work, I have never before heard of such disturbing accusations. I can only surmise they are surfacing now for the first time, decades later, as part of a concerted effort by others to destroy my name, my reputation, and my career. Anyone who knows me knows that the person described in this article is not me,” he said.
Moonves could reportedly receive as much as $100 million from his exit. The CBS board of directors said it is conducting a “thorough and independent investigation of the allegations.”
In July, six women levied sexual harassment charges against Moonves. In a statement at the time, Moonves said he recognized some actions “may have made some women uncomfortable” but denied the allegations that he engaged in unwanted sexual advances.
“I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle — that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career,” he said.
Shari Redstone, the daughter of Viacom and CBS owner Sumner Redstone, is seeking to reunite the two companies after decades. Moonves disapproves of the decision and the two parties have filed competing lawsuits against each other.
