Matt Lauer was fired from NBC in November 2017 following allegations he sexually harassed and assaulted female subordinates.
This week, in his first media interview since his downfall, the disgraced host played the martyr.
Lauer was asked during his conversation with Radio New Zealand to address the drama surrounding his $13 million property near Queenstown. The short of his current predicament is this: New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office initially approved the lease “after he passed a good character test and agreed to conditions, which included rules around allowing access and increasing farm operations,” RNZ explained. However, since he was unceremoniously dumped by 30 Rock, Lauer claims the Kiwis are trying to go back on the land deal.
“I believe the groups that are behind this are in some ways unfortunately taking advantage of some difficult times I’ve been through over the past six months, and I think they see me as an easy mark,” Lauer complained.
[Opinion: NBC’s internal report on Matt Lauer leaves unanswered questions]
He added, “And what they’re going to try to do is put this through, which would set a precedent because this has not been done ever before with a pastoral lease holder or property owner without that person’s consent.”
The former host continued, attempting to make it sound as if he cares most about the common good and is not just an irate leaser.
“I want to just tell people that this is not just about me. That precedent will then be used for other property owners. This is not a one-off,” he said.
The poor dear.
Anyway, for no particular reason at all, here’s an excerpt from the New York Times’ reporting on Lauer’s alleged predations. Sensitive readers should not go any further:
Hope his lease is safe.
