Former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell was reportedly ousted from the company over the weekend after the company conducted an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.
Attorney Suzanne McKie, a managing partner of Farore Law, said in a statement that the investigation was triggered by a complaint from her client, CNBC anchor Hadley Gamble.
“The investigation into Mr. Shell arose from a complaint by my client of sexual harassment and sex discrimination,” McKie said. “Given these circumstances it is very disappointing that my client’s name has been released and her privacy violated.”
Comcast, NBC’s parent company, said in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) document filed on Monday:
Following a complaint that Jeffrey Shell, CEO of NBCUniversal, engaged in inappropriate conduct with a female employee, including allegations of sexual harassment, Comcast Corporation (the “Company”) retained outside counsel to investigate the allegations. During the investigation, evidence was uncovered that corroborated the allegations. As a consequence, on April 23, 2023, the Company terminated Mr. Shell’s employment With Cause under his employment agreement, effective immediately.
Comcast had said in a statement over the weekend that the company and Shell had mutually agreed to part ways effective immediately.
“Comcast today announced that the Company and Jeff Shell, Chief Executive Officer of NBCUniversal, have mutually agreed that Mr. Shell will depart effective immediately following the Company’s investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct,” the company said.
NEWS: “Comcast today announced that the Company and Jeff Shell, Chief Executive Officer of NBCUniversal, have mutually agreed that Mr. Shell will depart effective immediately following the Company’s investigation led by outside counsel into a complaint of inappropriate conduct.”
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) April 23, 2023
Shell said in his own statement over the weekend that his ouster came as the result of an inappropriate relationship that he had with a woman in the workplace.
“Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal,” he said. “I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret. I’m truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege.”
Comcast president Mike Cavanagh released a joint statement with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts over Shell’s exit.
“We are disappointed to share this news with you,” the statement said. “We built this company on a culture of integrity. Nothing is more important than how we treat each other. You should count on your leaders to create a safe and respectful workplace. When our principles and policies are violated, we will always move quickly to take appropriate action, as we have done here.”