Sep 9, 2018 - Economy
Les Moonves out at CBS
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CBS Corporation announced Sunday night that longtime leader Les Moonves will depart as chairman, president, and CEO. The announcement comes just hours after a second Ronan Farrow report in The New Yorker in which six more women alleged sexual misconduct by the television veteran.
Why it matters: Moonves is one of the most high-profile executives to be brought down by the #MeToo movement. His departure comes after weeks of inaction from CBS' board, which had drawn a great deal of criticism from advocacy groups.
The details:
- The replacement: CBS COO Joe Ianniello will now serve as president and acting CEO, something insiders have long anticipated.
- Board shakeup: CBS is getting rid of six board members, who voted to dilute its parent company shares, and is adding six new board members, including three women.
- The terms: CBS also announced a settlement to end its legal battle with majority shareholder Shari Redstone and her holding company National Amusements Inc. NAI reaffirmed its previous position that it won't continue to push CBS to merge with its former sister company Viacom.
- No payday: Moonves has been stripped of his $100 million-plus severance package due to the allegations. In a statement, Moonves and CBS said that they will donate $20 million of Moonves' severance to advocacy groups who support the #MeToo movement.
Go deeper: New Moonves accusations prompt reports of his imminent departure.
