Back in September Tavis Smiley's talk show was taken off PBS after multiple subordinates claimed they felt pressured into sexual relationships with Tavis [click here if you missed that].
Now Tavis is suing PBS for racial bias...
According to reports Tavis Smiley has filed a lawsuit against PBS accusing them of fabricating sexual harassment claims against him in order to get him off the air.
Tavis also claims PBS would criticize his controversial Black guests but not the controversial white ones and closely audited his books but not the books of shows managed by white people.
PBS has denied the claims and released the following statement,
“Today’s meritless lawsuit is yet another example of Tavis Smiley’s attempts to distract the public from his pattern of sexual misconduct in the workplace.”
“As PBS has consistently stated, following receipt of a complaint alleging inappropriate conduct by Mr. Smiley, PBS hired an independent law firm to conduct an investigation. The ongoing investigation, which included a lengthy interview with Mr. Smiley, revealed that he had multiple sexual encounters with subordinates over many years and yielded credible allegations of additional misconduct inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS. That is what led PBS to the decision to indefinitely suspend distribution of Mr. Smiley’s program.”
“The notion that PBS’ decision to suspend distribution of the program was made for any reason aside from Mr. Smiley’s own behavior is ridiculous and false.”
