PBS suspends distribution of Tavis Smiley show for misconduct

(AP) -- PBS says it has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley's talk show after an independent investigation uncovered "multiple, credible allegations" of misconduct by its host.

PBS said in a statement Wednesday it had engaged an outside law firm to investigate "troubling allegations" against the host. It said it interviewed witnesses and Smiley and uncovered charges of conduct "that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS."

A representative for PBS declined to specify the nature of the allegations against Smiley.

In a statement Wednesday on Facebook, Smiley said he has never "groped, coerced or inappropriately exposed myself to any workplace colleague" in a 30-year broadcast career. He said PBS declined to identify his accusers in an interview with him.

His nightly program has aired on PBS since 2004.

Talk show host Tavis Smiley released the following statement on Facebook on Wednesday after allegations of misconduct:

"On the eve of the 15th season and 3,000th episode of my nightly talk show, I was as shocked as anyone else by PBS' announcement today. Variety knew before I did.

I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth. To be clear, I have never groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately to any workplace colleague in my entire broadcast career, covering 6 networks over 30 years.

Never. Ever. Never.

PBS launched a so-called investigation of me without ever informing me. I learned of the investigation when former staffers started contacting me to share the uncomfortable experience of receiving a phone call from a stranger asking whether, I had ever done anything to make them uncomfortable, and if they could provide other names of persons to call. After 14 seasons, that's how I learned of this inquiry, from the streets.

Only after being threatened with a lawsuit, did PBS investigators reluctantly agree to interview me for three hours.

If having a consensual relationship with a colleague years ago is the stuff that leads to this kind of public humiliation and personal destruction, heaven help us. The PBS investigators refused to review any of my personal documentation, refused to provide me the names of any accusers, refused to speak to my current staff, and refused to provide me any semblance of due process to defend myself against allegations from unknown sources. Their mind was made up. Almost immediately following the meeting, this story broke in Variety as an `exclusive.' Indeed, I learned more about these allegations reading the Variety story than the PBS investigator shared with me, the accused, in our 3 hour face to face meeting.

My attorneys were sent a formal letter invoking a contractual provision to not distribute my programming, and that was it.

Put simply, PBS overreacted and conducted a biased and sloppy investigation, which led to a rush to judgment, and trampling on a reputation that I have spent an entire lifetime trying to establish.

This has gone too far. And, I, for one, intend to fight back.

It's time for a real conversation in America, so men and women know how to engage in the workplace. I look forward to actively participating in that conversation."

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