CBS boss Les Moonves resigns as fresh sexual misconduct allegations surface
The boss of American TV giant CBS Les Moonves has stepped down following allegations of sexual misconduct which were reported by US media.
The company had been investigating its chief executive and chairman after The New Yorker magazine originally made the allegations in July, before it published new allegations from six more women yesterday.
In a statement, Moonves denied the allegations, saying: "Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me that are not consistent with who I am.
"I am deeply saddened to be leaving the company. I wish nothing but the best for the organisation, the newly comprised board of directors and all of its employees."
CBS confirmed Moonves' departure and said chief operating officer Joseph Ianniello would serve as acting President and chief executive of the company. US media reported that Moonves' severance package could top $100m, although CBS said he would not see any benefits until the independent investigation into his conduct was completed.
In the latest article by the New Yorker, Moonves was accused of sexual harassment or assault by six separate women between the 1980s and the 2000s.
In recent years, Moonves has been locked in a power struggle with head of National Amusements, the owner of Viacom, Shari Redstone, as he tried to block Viacom's proposed merger with CBS.
His departure coincided with CBS ending its court battle with National Amusements. Redstone's firm has also said it won't look to merge the firms for the next two years.