NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell Terminated Due to 'Inappropriate Relationship' With Coworker In a memo to staff, the now-former CEO said he was "truly sorry."
By Madeline Garfinkle •
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On Sunday, NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell and the company's parent company, Comcast, issued a shared statement with staff that it would be his last day due to an "inappropriate relationship" with a coworker.
Shell expressed "regret" for his actions in the memo.
"Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal," Shell wrote. "I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret."
Although it was originally perceived be a mutual agreement between Shell and the company that he step down as CEO, a follow-up statement issued on Monday by Comcast revealed the initial complaint of misconduct led to the company's decision to terminate his employment, effective immediately.
Hadley Gamble, an anchor and senior international correspondent at CNBC was the woman who accused Shell, a lawyer for Gamble told The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
The investigation, prompted by Gamble's complaint, found evidence that corroborated the employee's allegations of sexual harassment.
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"The investigation into Mr. Shell arose from a complaint by my client of sexual harassment and sex discrimination," Suzanne McKie, Gamble's lawyer, told the outlets. McKie added that under the circumstances, it's "disappointing" that Gamble's name has been released and her "privacy violated," per the WSJ.
Another individual with knowledge of the investigation told the NYT that Shell would not be receiving severance pay.
Comcast has yet to announce a replacement for Shell, and Comcast president Mike Cavanagh will take over in the interlude, multiple outlets have reported.
Shell is the second executive in three years to depart the company due to inappropriate conduct. In 2020 (the same year Shell stepped in as CEO), Ron Meyer stepped down as vice chairman of NBCUniversal following an extramarital affair.
Related: Amazon CEO of Worldwide Consumer Business Resigns After 23 Years: 'It's Time For Me To Build Again.'
