Longtime talk show host Tavis Smiley has been ordered to pay former employer PBS $1.5 million in his case over workplace sexual misconduct allegations.
Back in December 2017, Smiley was fired after PBS received multiple “troubling allegations” from credible sources about Smiley during his time on his late-night interview show. USA Today reports the allegations went against the network’s “moral” clause, which bans inappropriate behavior and romantic relationships within in the office.
Smiley combated his dismissal by filing a lawsuit against PBS, claiming the company wrongly fired him without evidence and that he was subject to racial bias during his time with the company. Six women came forward and testified in regard to the misconduct claims, which Smiley has continuously denied. The jury took a day to deliberate before reaching its verdict, according to USA Today.
When Smiley was dismissed, he took to Facebook to share the shock he felt over his termination. “I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth,” he said. “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.” He added that PBS “overreacted and conducted a biased and sloppy investigation, which led to a rush to judgment… 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.”
However, in a statement to The Associated Press, the network said it was happy with the results of the case. “PBS expects our producing partners to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect,” the network said. “It was important for us to ensure that the courageous women who came forward were able to share their stories and that we continue to uphold the values and standards of our organization.” In response, PBS countersued, saying that Smiley is partially responsible for a season that never got to air.
Smiley was with PBS for over a decade. The allegations included Smiley allegedly making lewd jokes to and unwanted sexual advances.
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