Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves has resigned from CBS Corporation amid sexual harassment allegations. Read the full statement from CBS Corporation below:
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) (“CBS” or “the Company”) today announced a settlement agreement with National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”), members of the CBS Board of Directors, and related parties. Under the terms of the settlement, which have been approved by the Boards of Directors of CBS and NAI, the parties agreed to dismiss their pending litigation in Delaware. The full Board of CBS (following the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee of the Board) has unanimously rescinded the previously announced Class A share dividend, and NAI has amended the Bylaws to undo the previous amendments that it adopted following filing of the Delaware litigation.
Concurrently with the settlement, Leslie Moonves will depart as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Chief Operating Officer Joseph Ianniello will serve as President and Acting CEO while the Board conducts a search for a permanent successor. Mr. Ianniello, who joined the Company in 2005, has been COO of CBS since June 2013. The Chairman position will remain open pending the appointment of a permanent CEO.
Moonves and CBS will donate $20 million to one or more organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace. The donation, which will be made immediately, has been deducted from any severance benefits that may be due Moonves following the Board’s ongoing independent investigation led by Covington & Burling and Debevoise & Plimpton. Moonves will not receive any severance benefits at this time (other than certain fully accrued and vested compensation and benefits); any payments to be made in the future will depend upon the results of the independent investigation and subsequent Board evaluation.
In keeping with CBS’ and NAI’s commitment to Board independence, five current independent directors and one NAI-affiliated director have stepped down from the Board, and six new independent directors have been elected to the Board. The ongoing members of the Nominating and Governance Committee have endorsed the new independent directors. The new Board will be comprised of 11 independent directors and 2 NAI-affiliated directors.
In addition, NAI confirmed that it has no plans to propose a merger of CBS and Viacom and has agreed that it will make no such proposal for at least two years after the date of the settlement. NAI reaffirmed that it will give good faith consideration to any business combination transaction or other strategic alternative that the independent directors believe are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Vice Chair Shari Redstone said, “CBS is an organization of talented and dedicated people who have created one of the most successful media companies in the world. Today’s resolution will benefit all shareholders, allowing us to focus on the business of running CBS – and transforming it for the future. We are confident in Joe’s ability to serve as acting CEO and delighted to welcome our new directors, who bring valuable and diverse expertise and a strong commitment to corporate governance.”
Lead Independent Director Bruce Gordon said, “We thank Les for his 24 years of service. Among his achievements, he established a strong management team, giving us great confidence as we accelerate our succession plans and provide continuity of leadership. This agreement maintains an independent Board that is charged with determining the best course for the future of CBS on behalf of all shareholders.”
Gordon thanked the outgoing directors for their service: “They have devoted many valuable hours looking out for the best interests of this company, which has achieved industry-leading performance during their tenure. I welcome the new directors, who bring superb expertise, competence and diversity of perspective.”
The six new independent Board members are: Candace Beinecke, Barbara Byrne, Brian Goldner, Richard D. Parsons, Susan Schuman and Strauss Zelnick. The following independent directors will remain on the board in addition to Gordon: William Cohen, Gary Countryman, Linda Griego and Martha Minow. On behalf of NAI, in addition to Redstone, Robert Klieger remains on the board.
Additional details about the settlement agreement and the agreement with Moonves will be included in a CBS Corporation 8-K filing.
The Board will schedule the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders for no later than Nov. 30, 2018.
