Matt Lauer admitted to 'engaging in sexual activity' with an intern and exhibited 'inappropriate sexual behavior' with three other staffers reveals NBC internal report

The NBC News workplace investigation into Matt Lauer's sexual misconduct is complete after six months, and the findings were shared with staff at the network on Wednesday.

The report reveals that on November 22, a 'complainant alleged that Matt Lauer had engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace with her on several occasions in 2014.'

One day later, Lauer was asked about the claims being made by the employee.

'During the interview, Lauer admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the complainant,' states the report.

The report also revealed that NBC has cleared all senior employees and found no proof that any current executives had knowledge of Lauer's misconduct.

Admission of guilt: Matt Lauer confessed to 'engaging in sexual activity' with an NBC employee, which led to the network's decision to terminate him in November

Finding: Soon after, three other women 'alleged that Lauer had engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace with them in 2000, 2001 and 2007'

'Within the two weeks after Lauer’s termination was announced publicly by NBC News on November 29, 2017, the Company received information about three additional women, who each alleged that Lauer had engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace with them in 2000, 2001 and 2007, respectively,' states the report. 

The report was sent along with a memo from Andy Lack, the Chairman of NBC Universal.

'The last few months have been extraordinarily difficult, with our dedicated journalists doing some of our best work ever while we endured a painful period in the spotlight including a thorough and deserved examination,' read the memo. 

'This has been felt by everyone in the organization, most importantly several of our colleagues who were deeply affected. I admire their bravery and am profoundly grateful for their candor.'

Lack then stated: 'When we first told you about the decision to dismiss Matt Lauer, I said we had been presented with “reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.” As you will see in the report, that turned out to be the case.'

The CEO of Universal, Steve Burke, instructed General Counsel Kim Burke to launch her investigation to determine three things, whether 'any current members of NBC News or Today Show leadership, News HR or anyone else in a position of authority in the News Division had any information about inappropriate workplace behavior by Lauer prior to November 27, 2017, and, if so, what, if anything, was done to address the behavior; there have been other incidents of inappropriate workplace behavior in the News Division, and if so, whether such incidents were reported and addressed appropriately; and employees in the News Division are comfortable reporting concerns about workplace behavior, and if not, why not.'

Investigators 'found no evidence indicating that any NBC News or Today Show leadership, News HR or others in positions of authority in the News Division received any complaints about Lauer’s workplace behavior prior to November 27, 2017.'

That discovery was bolstered by the four women who came forward as they all revealed that they did not tell their direct manager or anyone in a position of authority.

One of the women did reveal that she told a manager about an 'inappropriate interaction with Lauer where he placed his hand on her thigh and made a sexually suggestive comment.'

That was in 1996, and she was removed from assignments with Lauer from some time before her 2001 sexual encounter with the host. 

This does however contradict a recent claim made by Ann Curry, which the report addresses as a footnote.

'Ann Curry has stated in the press that, in 2012, a woman came to her claiming that Lauer had sexually harassed her and that Curry then told management at the time that they should be concerned about Lauer’s behavior toward women,' reads the report. 

'In a discussion with the investigation team, Curry confirmed that she did not disclose to anyone in management that she had received a specific complaint. Curry declined to share with the investigation team the identity of anyone in management with whom she spoke at the time or the identity of the woman who came to her with a complaint about Lauer.'

That footnote closes out by stating: 'The members of NBC News and Today Show leadership at the time with whom we spoke denied having any such conversation with Curry.'

Two of the four women also told investigators that they were of the belief that 'former NBC News or Today Show leadership knew or must have known about Lauer’s alleged inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.'

It is then noted in the report that all 'former leaders' interviewed 'denied any such knowledge' and that the investigation was 'unable to otherwise substantiate it.'

A number of people that were interviewed also remarked about comments and jokes made about Lauer.

'The investigation team also found that Lauer frequently engaged in sexual banter or joking in open working environments with other employees present or in a position to overhear his comments,' states the report. 

'While the nature and frequency of that conduct did not rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment, and no witnesses described it as such, it may have contributed to an atmosphere where some employees who may have had concerns assumed nothing would be done to address them, particularly given Lauer’s perceived importance to the News Division.'

The investigation also did not rely on interviews alone.

'The investigation team also conducted targeted email account searches and reviews, including the email accounts of Lauer and NBC News and Today Show leadership, reviewed text messages on Lauer’s work-issued phones, and reviewed other relevant documents and information,' stated the report.

'BCUniversal Legal department records and HR records for both NBCUniversal and the News Division were reviewed, together with records from the Comcast NBCUniversal complaint helplines and web portal, to determine whether there were any prior complaints about Lauer.'

Report: Ann Curry would not tell investigators the name of the person she reported Lauer to after a woman told her she had been harassed by the newsman

One of the women who engaged in sexual activity with Lauer, Addie Collins Zinone, spoke about her month-long affair in interviews last year.

That incident occurred in 2000 when she was just a 24-year-old production assistant at Today.

While Zinone said the relationship was consensual, she added that the power dynamics had made her later regret the relationship. 

She said that Katie Couric helped get her a job at Today right out of college and that she and Lauer had a professional working relationship right up until her last weeks on the show.

It all changed around June 2000, when Zinone got an instant message from Lauer one day, complimenting her on her appearance. 

At the time, Lauer was already married to his second wife, Annette Roque.

'It said, "wow, you look great." I don't remember verbatim. "Whatever you're doing with your life, it's agreeing with you,"' Zinone recalled in an interview on Megyn Kelly Today. 

'I thought, well, that's nice.'

Zinone went on to thank Lauer for the compliment. She then took the opportunity to let him know she was leaving the show soon to start a reporting job in West Virginia. She asked if she might be able to chat with him before she left to get some career advice, and Lauer agreed. 

Zinone said a month went by without any word from Lauer. Then he sent her another awkward message.

'One day, I got another message that said, "Okay, now you're killing me. You look great today. It's a bit tough to concentrate,"' Zinone told Megyn.

'And my first reaction was, is this really you? Did somebody sit down and steal your log-in?' she said.

Zinone said Lauer insisted that it was him and said: 'I hope you don't take me to personnel for saying this'.

Zinone took the opportunity to remind Lauer that she was leaving again and if he wanted to have the conversation they planned. So the next day he set up lunch.

But the lunch did not go as Zinone planned. 

'During the lunch, it didn't go to professional advice. It went quickly to accomplishing his goal. And I realized that,' she said.

She says she knew what his intentions were when he asked that they leave the lunch separately.

Back at the office, Zinone said she was overwhelmed by a feeling of confusion. 

'I was trying to be normal. I'm a P.A. back to the office. All this nervous energy and I didn't know what to do with it. I was confused. I thought, what is happening?' she said.

So she messaged Lauer, telling him how she was feeling 'really nervous' and he suggested that she come meet him in his dressing room.

It was there that they had their first sexual encounter.

'I realize that sounds very naive and silly of me because I walked over there to do that. In that moment, I didn't have anybody to sort of share my fears and confusion with, except for him. What am I going to say to people? This just happened,' she said.

She said their sexual relationship lasted for about a month, then she went to West Virginia to start her new job. 

Their first sexual encounter lasted approximately 10 minutes according to Zinone, and the last occurred in the bathroom at a convention center she said.

Assistant: One of the women who engaged in sexual activity with Lauer, Addie Collins Zinone (above with Lauer in 2000), spoke about her month-long affair in interviews last year

Workplace relationship: Zinone said their sexual relationship lasted for about a month, then she went to West Virginia to start her new job.

 In 2001, a married NBC staffer claimed she woke up in Matt Lauer's office with her pants halfway down her legs after having sex with the anchor until she passed out in an interview with The New York Times.

The woman told The New York Times that the longtime Today Show host's assistant had to take her to see a nurse after the alleged encounter in 2001.

The former employee, who was in her 40s at the time, said Lauer first made advances towards her while covering a story away from their New York headquarters in the late 1990s.

She described moving away from him during a car journey to the airport because he was sitting 'uncomfortably close', to which he apparently replied: 'You're no fun'.

Then, in 2001, she claims the married Lauer summoned her to his office at 30 Rock in New York to discuss work. She says he then used a button under his desk to lock the door and then told her to unbutton her blouse.

She said the veteran broadcaster then stepped out from behind his desk, pulled out a chair, bent her over, and started having sex with her until she fell unconscious.

The woman told The Times she woke up a while later on the floor of his office with her pants halfway down her legs, prompting his assistant to take her to seek medical attention.

The ex-staffer, who has not been named, is one of a string of women who have come forward accusing Lauer of sexual misconduct.

She did not tell NBC about the alleged incident at the time because she thought she could have done more to stop Lauer's actions, and she left around a year later. 

Lauer has been married for almost 20 years to wife Annette, a former model who was born in the Netherlands.

The two wed in 1998, just one year after he was made a co-anchor of the show.

Lauer and his wife have three children - Jack, and Romy and Thijs -who live in East Hampton with their mother while their their father stays in the city alone from Monday through Thursday in an Upper East Side bachelor pad.

His first marriage, to television producer Nancy Alspaugh, ended in divorce in 1988.

Lauer was also briefly engaged to television newscaster Kristen Gesswein, but they split in 1996, two years before he married Annette.

Lauer and his wife came close to splitting back in 2006 after Annette filed court papers stating that he husband valued his work over his family and was 'extremely controlling.'

Furthermore, Annette claimed at the time she suffered 'cruel and inhuman' treatment at the hands of Lauer, who also demonstrated 'extreme anger and hostility towards her.'

Matt filed his own legal action days later, saying any 'cruel and inhuman treatment' he may have exhibited was 'provoked' by his wife.

The pair will reportedly divorce, though there had been no news of a court filing at this time. 

They do: Lauer has been married for almost 20 years to wife Annette, a former model who was born in the Netherlands (pair above in 2015) 

This report's release comes just a few weeks after Lauer broke his silence for the first time since his firing from Today last November.

'I have made no public comments on the many false stories from anonymous or biased sources that have been reported about me over these past several months,' Lauer told The Washington Post.

'I remained silent in an attempt to protect my family from further embarrassment and to restore a small degree of the privacy they have lost. But defending my family now requires me to speak up.'

He continued: 'I fully acknowledge that I acted inappropriately as a husband, father and principal at NBC. However I want to make it perfectly clear that any allegations or reports of coercive, aggressive or abusive actions on my part, at any time, are absolutely false.' 

That Post story detailed new allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Lauer that were made by three women who were NBC employees at the time of the incidents.

One woman said Lauer exposed himself to her in his office and asked her to touch his genitals; a second women claims she had sex with Lauer in his office during the workday; and a third said she was gifted a sex toy by Lauer.

It is unclear which of those women, if any, were included in the NBC report. 

Curry also revealed in that report that she reported Lauer personally to two members of NBC management after she was approached by a woman in tears who said she had been 'sexually harassed physically'.

A woman approached me and asked me tearfully if I could help her,' said Curry.

'She was afraid of losing her job... I believed her.'

Curry said she then approached two members of NBC’s management team and urged them to keep an eye on Lauer and 'how he deals with women.'

She would not however name the two individuals she spoke to about the allegations, and an NBC spokesperson said on Thursday that there is no record of Curry ever speaking to anyone in management.

Those individuals are no longer in management positions at NBC. 

The chairman of NBC, Andy Lack, was the one who had the task of firing Lauer back in November, and the next morning he was reportedly forced to defend his decision.

Lack and NBC later launched an internal investigation in order to determine 'why this was able to happen, why it wasn’t reported sooner, and what we can do to make employees feel more empowered to report unacceptable behavior.'

And while he has called Lauer's behavior 'reprehensible,' others have come to the former anchor's defense.

Three former NBC employees defended Lauer by saying his sexual relationships with NBC employees were always consensual.

One of those individuals also claimed that Lauer dismissed concern over his behavior by saying it was just the result of a troubled marriage. 

NBC MEMO ON MATT LAUER'S SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, the NBCUniversal team has completed its investigation stemming from the Matt Lauer matter. By now you should have received a summary of the findings and recommendations from Kim Harris, General Counsel of NBCU.

The last few months have been extraordinarily difficult, with our dedicated journalists doing some of our best work ever while we endured a painful period in the spotlight including a thorough and deserved examination. This has been felt by everyone in the organization, most importantly several of our colleagues who were deeply affected. I admire their bravery and am profoundly grateful for their candor.

When we first told you about the decision to dismiss Matt Lauer, I said we had been presented with “reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.” As you will see in the report, that turned out to be the case.

Matt Lauer in Sag Harbor after his firing

You will also see the detailed findings and conclusions resulting from nearly 70 interviews with current and former employees and over 30 focus groups with 262 current employees. The review, of course, focused specifically on sexual harassment, but it also broadened the lens – through the culture assessment – to examine other inappropriate workplace behavior like bullying.

The goal of the NBCU investigation was to understand what happened, and as importantly, determine what steps we can take to build a culture of genuinely greater transparency, openness and respect for each other – where everyone feels safe and comfortable at all times.

Like many of you, I am immensely proud of NBC News, its history, and the work we do. But – stepping back from the investigation – that history also includes a time when people were not comfortable coming forward to voice complaints about repugnant behavior. That is not acceptable.

We cannot change the past. What we can do is learn from it, and try to make it right. We have already begun to turn the page to establish a safer and more respectful environment. That requires strong, specific steps in a sustained manner to transform the culture. Here is the plan.

1. New outside option to raise concerns: In addition to the existing four routes to raise concerns (here), which remain valuable resources for you, we are adding more. You will be able to go directly to Seyfarth Shaw, the law firm connected to our in-person trainers, to lodge a complaint about workplace behavior in the news division. They will operate outside the traditional News Human Resources structure, bringing your concerns directly to the NBCUniversal legal team, and will work with you to navigate the investigation process.

2. New inside path to raise concerns: There will be a unique independent team of employee counselors staffed with expertise in managing employee concerns. This team will also operate separately from NBC News Human Resources and the managers of our divisions – they will report in to NBCUniversal’s legal team. Their primary mission will be to address complaints while emphasizing confidentiality.

3. More information to complainants after they report: One of the findings of the culture assessment is that some employees quite understandably feel that after they gather the courage to raise a concern they do not get enough information about how it is being addressed. We are going to inject more immediacy and measurable transparency into the process of raising and resolving concerns. NBCU will shortly be sharing a revised company-wide policy that will, among other things, lay out in clear terms what happens when you raise concerns and what you can expect from the process.

4. Deeper focus on training managers: We are going to undergo a “training surge” for manager-level employees to better equip each and every one of them to build trust and positive team dynamics, model appropriate behavior for others, and create respectful environments.

5. Respectful behavior now a regular part of performance evaluations: Colleagues should treat each other well because it is ingrained in the culture and the right thing to do. From here forward our annual performance reviews will include greater emphasis on each manager’s workplace behavior as well as the environment they create.

6. Ongoing in-person training at all levels: We are close to completing the mandatory in-person employee training on workplace behavior of our entire workforce. This will not be a one-time endeavor. Instead, we will continue using in-person training for all new employees and will update and refresh training for ongoing employees at regular intervals.

7. Constant vigilance, monitoring and measuring progress around culture changes: Our commitment to change and progress must be sustained and lasting. To that end, we will conduct confidential focus group-style assessments of our culture to track progress and continue understanding how we can improve it. Over the next 18 months we will also conduct multiple anonymous ‘pulse’ surveys to assess progress.

You must have a workplace culture that is as great as the work you are doing every day. But this isn’t a one-way process. It takes all 2,145 of us together, having each other’s backs to make this goal a reality that starts now.

As Ever, 

Andy 

Fired Today host Matt Lauer has apologized for the pain and anguish he has caused his loved ones and NBC after a series of bombshell sexual assault allegations led to him being fired from the show.

Lauer released a statement through his former employers in which he asked for forgiveness and admitted there was 'enough truth' in the claims made against him.

'There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry', he said.

'The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my troubling flaws. It has been humbling.

'Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized. But there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.

'I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.' 

Hoda Kotb was in again for Lauer, with her and Savannah Guthrie appearing in considerably good spirits given their marathon Wednesday, which kicked off with the new of Lauer's sexual misconduct and did not end until well into the night with the two women hosting the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Lauer had been scheduled to host that event.

During the opening segment, Today highlighted the comments made by Natalie Morales on Tuesday, who urged the network to do the right thing before stating: 'When and if she wants to tell her story publicly, I'm sure she will, but it did take a lot of courage for her to come forward. It was no doubt a very painful decision.'

Scroll down for video 

No laughing matter: Matt Lauer (above in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics) is accused of sexually harassing a number of female employees, who detailed their alleged encounters with the Today host in Variety

Cartoon villain: Lauer reportedly had a button under his desk at 30 Rock (above) that allowed him to lock the door while inside the office. A woman said that she had sex with the anchor in 2001 until she passed out, and eventually woke up on his floor with her pants down 

(From left to right) Lester Holt, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker put on a brave face as the took to the stage for the 85th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, just hours after Lauer was axed from NBC 

Lauer's apology, read out on the show this morning, came hours after more graphic details of the allegations against the host emerged. 

In the latest allegation, a married NBC staffer claimed she woke up in Matt Lauer's office with her pants halfway down her legs after having sex with the anchor until she passed out. 

The woman told The New York Times that the longtime Today Show host's assistant had to take her to see a nurse after the alleged encounter in 2001.

The former employee, who was in her 40s at the time, said Lauer first made advances towards her while covering a story away from their NY headquarters in the late 1990s. 

She described moving away from him during a car journey to the airport because he was sitting 'uncomfortably close', to which he apparently replied: 'You're no fun'.

Then, in 2001, she claims the married Lauer summoned her to his office at 30 Rock in New York to discuss work. She says he then used a button under his desk to lock the door and then told her to unbutton her blouse.

She said the veteran broadcaster then stepped out from behind his desk, pulled out a chair, bent her over, and started having sex with her until she fell unconscious.

The woman told The Times she woke up a while later on the floor of his office with her pants halfway down her legs, prompting his assistant to take her to seek medical attention.

The ex-staffer, who has not been named, is one of a string of women who have come forward accusing Lauer of sexual misconduct. 

She did not tell NBC about the alleged incident at the time because she thought she could have done more to stop Lauer's actions, and she left around a year later.

NBC executives fired Lauer on Tuesday night soon after they saw a string of lewd messages and explicit photos he sent an intern during the Sochi Olympics, reports suggest. 

His departure was announced by visibly-shaken co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on Wednesday morning, and a number of explosive stories on his alleged conduct during his time at the Rockefeller Center quickly followed. 

He has been accused of flashing his penis at one woman and buying another a sex toy.

There was also a stunning revelation that he had a button under his desk that would lock to the door to his office.

It was a security-measure used by most high-profile employees at NBC, but Lauer allegedly used it at least once so he could have sex with the NBC staffer in 2001.   

The NBC investigation that led to his spectacular downfall was sparked by an intern who accused him of sexually assault at the beginning in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics.

She shared her account with the human resources and legal departments of NBC News on Monday - Lauer was fired just 24 hours later.

He was sacked so quickly because of lewd messages he sent the female staffer, and at least one explicit picture.

Variety also spoke with 10 past and present workers at the company who accused Lauer of a vast array of sexual misconduct, including the intern who claims she was attacked at Sochi. 

NBC's swift response was still not enough for some women however, who said their complaints to executives at the company fell on deaf ears.

An NBC spokesperson disputed this, stating: 'We can say unequivocally, that, prior to Monday night, current NBC News management was never made aware of any complaints about Matt Lauer’s conduct.' 

Through the years:  Lauer and his cohosts over the past two decades (clockwise from top: Katie Couric, Meredith Viera and Ann Curry)

Lauer is said to have sexted female coworkers during his stint at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He is seen interviewing members of the USA Women's Hockey Team 

Those interviewed said it was at the OIympic Games where Lauer made moves on a number of female staff members.

'Lauer would invite women employed by NBC late at night to his hotel room while covering the Olympics in various cities over the years,' claims Variety reporter Ramin Setoodeh. 

'He later told colleagues how his wife had accompanied him to the London Olympics because she didn’t trust him to travel alone.' 

None of the 10 individuals who spoke with Variety are identified in the piece, including the woman who got the sex toy along with 'an explicit note about how he wanted to use it on her.'

That woman said she was 'mortified,' while a fellow co-worker's state was described as 'visibly shaken' after  Lauer allegedly flashed her in his office.

When she did not do anything, Lauer reportedly 'reprimanded her for not engaging in a sexual act.'

And in that office Lauer had a device under his desk that allowed him to lock the door, something he had added after the departure of his co-host Katie Couric in 2006.

'His office was in a secluded space, and he had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside without getting up,' writes Setoodeh. 

'This afforded him the assurance of privacy. It allowed him to welcome female employees and initiate inappropriate contact while knowing nobody could walk in on him.'

That information came courtesy of two of the women who spoke with the writer of the piece.

'There were a lot of consensual relationships, but that’s still a problem because of the power he held,' said one producer. 

'He couldn’t sleep around town with celebrities or on the road with random people, because he’s Matt Lauer and he’s married. So he’d have to do it within his stable, where he exerted power, and he knew people wouldn’t ever complain.'

While not named, one woman in particular seemed to catch Lauer's eye according to those interviewed for the piece. 

'Several employees recall how he paid intense attention to a young woman on his staff that he found attractive, focusing intently on her career ambitions,' reads the story. 

'And he asked the same producer to his hotel room to deliver him a pillow.'

Tough morning: The news was announced at the top of Wednesday's program by Savannah Guthrie, who could be seen clutching Hoda Kotb's hand for support (above)

Timing: This all comes just as exposes detailing claims of sexual misconduct against Lauer are set to be released by Variety and The New York Times (Kotb above on Wednesday)

'This is a very tough morning for both of us. I've known Matt for 15 years. And I've loved him as a friend and a colleague,' said Kotb

Shut it down: Natalie Morales said on Access Hollywood (above) that she was shocked, and firmly stated once again that she and Lauer did not engage in a relationship at Today

Lauer's fixation on woman's bodies and physical appearance is also a big part of the story, with multiple people saying that he would often play the game 'F***, Marry or Kill' with staffers.

One of the show's anchors would often gossip about Lauer's sexual escapades according to staffers while a former reporter said: 'Management sucks there. They protected the s*** out of Matt Lauer.'

He is exiting meanwhile in the wake of his longtime booker Matt Zimmerman also losing his job.

Zimmerman was also dismissed for sexual harassment. 

Reporter Yashar Ali also shared on Wednesday that he too had spoken to at least one individual who accused Lauer of exposing himself in her presence.

Lauer leaves his job as the longest-running morning show anchor on network television and the highest paid, taking home an annual salary of $25million prior to his termination.

Lack told staffers on Friday during their editorial call that Lauer had expressed remorse when he informed him of the network's decision to terminate his contract, less than 24 hours after an investigation was launched into his accuser's claims.

'This is a sad morning here at Today and NBC News,' said a tearful Savannah Guthrie while revealing the news at the start of the popular morning show.

Guthrie then read the letter that NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack had sent to employees just moments before, which stated that Lauer's alleged offense may not have been an 'isolated incident.'

'We learned this moments ago, just this morning. As you can imagine, we are devastated. And we are still processing all of this,' said Guthrie on Tuesday morning. 

'I will tell you, we do not know more than what I just shared with you. But we will be covering this story, as reporters, as journalists. I'm sure we'll learn more details in the hours and days to come. We promise to share that with you.'

The scandal was later addressed by former Today host Natalie Morales on Access Hollywood early Wednesday afternoon, who addressed the long-held rumors that she and Lauer had a relationship during her time on the show. 

'I woke up to the news like everyone this morning — just in shock. The Today show of course, has been my family for 16 years now and it is difficult. I think everyone is saying how difficult it is to process the news,' said Morales.

'I have personally dealt with rumors in the past for years that were hurtful to me, my family – they diminished my hard work. I've addressed those rumors head-on in the past. That is not the story today.'

She then firmly stated: 'The story today is the courage of a colleague who did come forward, and when and if she wants to tell her story publicly, I’m sure she will. But it did take a lot of courage for her to come forward. It was no doubt a very painful decision.' 

It seems that he will not be missed by all of his past and former co-workers however, with former MSNBC host Keith Olberman tweeting: 'Matt Lauer was remorsely vindictive and tyrannical to everyone at NBC News and management repeatedly enabled him and buried the issue.' 

Civil rights lawyer Ari Wilkenfeld is representing the woman accusing Lauer, who met with the Times on Monday but said she was not yet ready to reveal her identity or share her story.

NBC CHAIRMAN ANDY LACK MEMO TO STAFF

Dear Colleagues,

On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment. While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he's been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.

Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender.

We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. But we will face it together as a news organization -- and do it in as transparent a manner as we can. To that end, Noah and I will be meeting with as many of you as possible throughout the day today to answer your questions.

Andy

'My client and I met with representatives from NBC’s Human Resources and Legal Departments at 6 p.m. on Monday for an interview that lasted several hours,' said Wilkenfeld in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday.

'Our impression at this point is that NBC acted quickly, as all companies should, when confronted with credible allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace.' 

He went on to state: 'While I am encouraged by NBC’s response to date, I am in awe of the courage my client showed to be the first to raise a complaint and to do so without making any demands other than the company do the right thing.' 

DailyMail.com reached out to Wilkenfeld to see if he could confirm the date of the alleged incident. 

Guthrie maintained her composure throughout the opening segment despite tearing up at times, and at one point was clutching on to co-host Hoda Kotb.

'Hoda, I mean, you know, for the moment, all we can say is we are heartbroken. I'm heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner. And he is beloved by many, many people here,' said Guthrie.

'And I'm heartbroken for the brave colleague that came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.'

Guthrie, in comments that very much echoed the ones made just last week by CBS This Morning hosts Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King, then spoke about this watershed moment for victims of sexual misconduct.

'We are grappling with a  dilemma that so many people have faced these weeks. How do you reconcile your love for someone with the recognition that they have behaved badly. And I don't know the answer to that,' said Guthrie. 

'But I know this reckoning that so many organizations have been going through is important. It's long overdue. And it must result in workplaces where all women, all people, feel safe and respected.'

She then stated: 'As painful as it is this moment in our culture, and this change, had to happen.'

Guthrie and Kotb learned the news just before they went on air, as did the rest of the NBC News staff. 

'On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,' wrote Lack in his letter. 

'It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.

'Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences, no matter who the offender.

'We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. But we will face it together as a news organization – and do it in as transparent a manner as we ca

Cast and crew: Lauer posed with his colleagues back in January (above) as he celebrated his 20th anniversary as anchor on Today

Fired: Matt Lauer (above on November 8) has been terminated by NBC News following a claim that he sexually assaulted a colleague 

Thanks for the memories: Lauer and Guthrie share a joyful embrace back in January

In a statement on Wednesday, Today said: 'Matt Lauer has been terminated from NBC News. On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.'

Kotb also spoke about Lauer's departure and how the network would cover the news moving forward on Today.

'This is a very tough morning for both of us. I've known Matt for 15 years. And I've loved him as a friend and a colleague,' said Kotb. 

SAVANNAH'S TEARFUL COMMENTS ON LAUER

We learned this moments ago, just this morning. As you can imagine, we are devastated. And we are still processing all of this.

I will tell you, we do not know more than what I just shared with you. But we will be covering this story, as reporters, as journalists. I'm sure we'll learn more details in the hours and days to come. We promise to share that with you. 

Hoda, I mean, you know, for the moment, all we can say is we are heartbroken. I'm heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner. And he is beloved by many, many people here. 

And I'm heartbroken for the brave colleague that came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell. 

And we are grappling with a dilemma that so many people have faced these weeks. How do you reconcile your love for someone with the recognition that they have behaved badly. 

And I don't know the answer to that. But I know this reckoning that so many organizations have been going through is important. It's long overdue. And it must result in workplaces where all women, all people, feel safe and respected. 

As painful as it is this moment in our culture, and this change, had to happen.

'And just like you were saying, Savannah. It's hard to reconcile what we are hearing with the man who we know, who walks in this building every, single day. We're both woken up with the news kind of pre-dawn. And we're trying to process it and make sense of it.'

Lauer had been at the helm of Today since January 6, 1997, having initially started at NBC in 1992 when he filled in as a newsreader on Today before joining the show in a full-time role two years later. 

Lauer has also interviewed the last four sitting presidents during his time on Today. 

The current Commander-in-Chief responded to the shocking news with a somewhat irreverent post on Twitter, writing: 'Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!'

He later followed that up by writing: 'So now tha Matt Lauer is gone when will the Fake News practitioners at NBC be terminating the contract of Phil Griffin? And will they terminate low ratings Joe Scarborough based on the “unsolved mystery” that took place in Florida years ago? Investigate!'

Later on Today, Megyn Kelly also spoke about the termination of the morning show's golden child.

'This one does hit close to home. I, too, have known Matt for a long time. And he's been a friend and kind and supportive to me in my transition to NBC News. And I see the anguish on my colleagues' faces,' said a somber Megyn. 

'But when this happens, what we don't see is the pain on the faces of those who found the courage to come forward. And it is a terrifying thing to do. We don't see the career opportunities women lose because of sexual harassment or the intense stress it causes a woman dealing with it when she comes to work each day. 

She then added: 'I am thinking of those women this morning and hoping they are okay.' 

Megyn Kelly reacts to Matt Lauer firing over 'sex assault'

Ally: Harvey Weinstein accuser Rose McGowan also commented, writing on Twitter: 'Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Matt Lauer. "Today Show" #ROSEARMY'

Her view: Joy Behar responded to the news by noting Lauer's alleged role in pushing out Ann Curry back in 2012 and saying: 'Karma's a b****'

Response: CBS This Morning opened their show with the news, with anchors Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King (above) recounting their own very similar experience just last week with Charlie Rose

Matt Lauer has been fired from Today after a colleague accused the longtime host of 'inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace' it was announced on Wednesday.

'This is a sad morning here at Today and NBC News,' said a tearful Savannah Guthrie while revealing the news at the start of the popular morning show.

Guthrie then read the letter that NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack had sent to employees just moments before, which stated that Lauer's alleged offense may not have been an 'isolated incident.'

'We learned this moments ago, just this morning. As you can imagine, we are devastated. And we are still processing all of this,' said Guthrie. 

'I will tell you, we do not know more than what I just shared with you. But we will be covering this story, as reporters, as journalists. I'm sure we'll learn more details in the hours and days to come. We promise to share that with you'

Fired: Matt Lauer has been axed over sexual misconduct claims