CNBC announced on Tuesday that it had parted ways with anchor and senior correspondent Hadley Gamble after she accused former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell of sexual harassment. The New York Times reported that CNBC and Gamble negotiated a financial settlement worth more than $1 million in connection with her exit. Shell stepped down from the company in April after admitting to an "inappropriate relationship" with a woman.
Comcast's president, Michael Cavanagh, has stepped in to oversee NBCUniversal following Shell's departure. In response to Gamble's complaint, Shell has claimed that it "wildly misrepresents the facts of what happened" and that his relationship with private equity investor Tom Barrack had been properly disclosed.
Hadley Gamble reportedly left the network just weeks after filing a sexual harassment complaint against Shell which led to his abrupt exit from NBCUniversal. According to sources familiar with the matter, Gamble filed the complaint before Shell was ousted, alleging that they had been involved in an affair for over a decade.
In a statement released at the time of his resignation, Jeff Shell admitted to having an inappropriate relationship within the company: “I regret my past actions and would like to apologize for any pain I may have caused others,” he said. “As I leave this position behind me, I wish my colleagues every success as they continue their work.”
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Michael Cavanagh emphasized Comcast’s commitment towards maintaining a safe working environment: “We take all allegations of misconduct seriously,” he said. “Our priority is fostering an inclusive culture where employees feel valued and respected.”
The departure of both Hadley Gamble and Jeff Shell has undoubtedly left a significant impact on CNBC and NBCUniversal. As the company moves forward, it remains to be seen how they will address other potential instances of harassment and misconduct within their organization.
"We are grateful for Hadley's contributions to CNBC over the years, and we wish her well in her future endeavors," stated a spokesperson from the network. The search for Gamble's replacement is reportedly already underway.