Report: Les Moonves obstructed investigation amid sexual misconduct claims

Amid CBS’ inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct against Les Moonves, the former CEO lied to investigators, tried to destroy evidence and interfered with the inquiry, according to a draft report prepared for the company’s board obtained by The New York Times.

Why it matters: The report, penned by lawyers hired by the network, says the CBS has justification to deny Moonves his $120 million severance. The lawyers spoke with Moonves four times and said he was “evasive and untruthful at times and to have deliberately lied about and minimized the extent of his sexual misconduct.” Moonves reportedly did not disclose previous allegations of sexual misconduct before he arrived at CBS.

Go deeper:

• CBS readies for a new era without Les Moonves
• CBS says it was subpoenaed over Moonves allegations