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Report detailing harassment allegations surfaces after NBC fires Matt Lauer

Within hours of Matt Lauer losing his job at NBC, more allegations of sexual harassment have surfaced.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 28: Journalist Matt Lauer attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 13th Annual An Enduring Vision Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on October 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Hours after Matt Lauer was terminated from NBC for "inappropriate workplace behavior," Variety published the results of a two-month investigation focusing on three women who identified themselves as victims of sexual harassment by the Today show host .

The women, who the trade publication said wished to remain anonymous for fear of professional repercussions, detail how Lauer used his position of power over NBC employees who would be reticent to complain because of his prominent position in the company.

According to the outlet, which interviewed dozens of former and current staff, "work and sex were intertwined" for Lauer, who developed a pattern of inviting women late at night to his hotel room while covering the Olympics over the years, and to his secluded office within 30 Rockefeller Center.

In one instance, Lauer summoned a female employee to his office and exposed himself to her, before reprimanding her for declining to engage in a sexual act, the outlet reports.

Joined by Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie announced that her former co-anchor had been terminated at the top of the Today show Wednesday, reading a memo sent to NBC staff from NBC News chairman Andrew Lack, which USA TODAY also obtained.

“On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment," Lack said in the memo.

It continued, "While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he's been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."

Guthrie said the news, which she learned moments before announcing it on air, has left her "devastated."

"I'm heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he is beloved by many, many people here," Guthrie said. "And, I'm heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell."

Later in the news program, NBC News’ Stephanie Gosk gave more information about the firing. “A spokesperson for the company says that the accuser described inappropriate sexual behavior throughout 2014 and because of the seriousness of the accusations, together with information that it may not be an isolated incident, NBC decided to terminate Lauer’s contract,” she said.

In a report from The New York Times, employment law litigator Ari Wilkenfeld says he represents the female who complained of Lauer's alleged behavior to NBC. Though the Times says Wilkenfeld declined to identify his client, he did provide a statement to the news outlet.

In the statement, Wilkenfeld said he and his client met with representatives from NBC’s Human Resources and Legal departments Monday evening for a lengthy interview. Wilkenfeld said he felt encouraged by NBC's quick response.

President Trump, who has also made headlines recently for reportedly questioning the Access Hollywood tape of him making vulgar comments about women, was swift to respond to the news of Lauer's firing via Twitter Wednesday. "Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for 'inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.' But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!"

Lauer is one of several high-profile journalists to be ousted after accusations of sexual harassment in recent weeks. CBS and PBS dropped news veteran Charlie Rose last week following a Washington Post report that detailed years of alleged sexual misconduct with several women.

Rose issued a statement via Twitter on Nov. 20, denying the accuracy of the allegations in totality but also acknowledging he was "greatly embarrassed" by his "inappropriate behavior."

National Public Radio's news chief Michael Oreskes resigned on Nov. 1 following a story in The Washington Post detailing allegations that he had kissed two women who were seeking jobs in the 1990s. Political analyst Mark Halperin and New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush have also faced allegations of sexual harassment.

For the last two months, powerful men in Hollywood, like producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey, have also faces accusations of sexual harassment and assault. Weinstein's growing list of accusers currently totals to 83.

USA TODAY has reached out to Lauer's reps for comment.

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