NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — The New York Times is reporting that embattled CBS boss Leslie Moonves is negotiating an exit from the network he has overseen for the past two decades.
Mr. Moonves, who faces an ongoing investigation into numerous allegations of sexual harassment, has been talking to the board about an exit that would include a payout for far less than the $180 million stipulated in his employment agreement, according to three unnamed sources who spoke to the Times.
If Moonves does leave the network, Joseph Ianniello is likely to be named as an interim successor, the Times said.
Moonves joined CBS in 1995 and led a turnaround of the network into the highest rated broadcaster in the American television landscape, while at the same time, becoming one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood.
However, in July, the New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow published an article that detailed allegations by six women against Moonves who claim they were sexually harassed and intimidated by Moonves. Since then, dozens of other women have come forward with similar claims and CBS has launched an internal investigation.
No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations and at the end of July, a Los Angeles prosecutor declined to bring charges against the television exec, saying the accusations against him are outside of the statute of limitations.
