It turns out Les Moonves won’t be getting the $120-million severance package he was planning on. This after a five-month internal investigation not only found evidence to support the claims, but also, that Moonves didn't exactly cooperate.
“We have determined that there are grounds to terminate for cause, including his willful and material misfeasance, violation of Company policies, and breach of his employment contract,” the company says in a statement. “As well as his willful failure to cooperate fully with the Company’s investigation.”
This outcome isn't exactly a shock. The contract Moonves had signed mandated that he cooperate with any company investigations. In a statement, the board confirms just that. As you might remember, Moonves was accused of trying to cover up allegations against madehim by actress Bobbie Phillips - who claims he forced a sex act on her. That cover-up alone would have essentially breached the contract.
Not surprisingly, Moonves' lawyer Andrew Levanderis pushing back - and denying everything. Calling the investigation "foreordained," Levander isn't letting on about Moonves' plan for the future. As in, if he'll fight back. “The conclusions of the CBS board were foreordained and are without merit,” Levander says in a statement. “Consistent with the pattern of leaks that have permeated this ‘process,’ the press was informed of these baseless conclusions before Mr. Moonves, further damaging his name, reputation, career, and legacy. Mr. Moonves vehemently denies any non-consensual sexual relations, and cooperated extensively and fully with investigators.”ONE MORE THING...While Moonves is surely upset with the outcome...it's not as though it'll hurt his bank account to much - his net worth at present is in the neighborhood of $700-million.