Fired Today anchor Matt Lauer finally weighed in a day after he was let go over allegations of sexual misconduct that multiplied throughout the day Wednesday (Nov. 29).
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While Lauer said some of the allegations were either not true or mischaracterized, he suggested some were not.
"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," Lauer said in a statement. "To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this, I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC."
Today included Lauer's statement Thursday (Nov. 30) in a story about the additional allegations that emerged Wednesday in articles in The New York Times and Variety.
"Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly," Lauer said.
"Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching, and I'm committed to beginning that effort; it is now my full time job," he added. "The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It's been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace."
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Other reports Wednesday indicated that some of the women making the allegations had complained to NBC management previously without success, but Today reported that NBC's current network management said no one had been made aware of any allegations before Monday's detailed complaint by a colleague at NBC News regarding behavior that began during the coverage of the Olympics in Sochi in 2014.
