An LAPD police chief warned former CBS chairman Leslie Moonves that allegations of sexual harassment had been made against him.
Moonves, 73, was fired from CBS for cause in 2018 after 30 years of allegations of sexual misconduct.
He initially challenged the dismissal, but agreed last year to withdraw from the lawsuit to pocket his $120 million exit package.
Now the New York City Attorney’s Office has revealed in a report that there was an elaborate cover-up between CBS and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Commander Cory Palka, who is now retired, is accused of telling a CBS executive that a woman had come on the Hollywood network to report an attack on Moonves.
On November 10, 2017, Palka left a voicemail for a CBS employee, saying, “Someone walked into the station about a few hours ago and made allegations of sexual assault against your boss.”
The LAPD captain urged the worker to “call him,” though he admitted the allegations were “confidential,” and continued to covertly break news of the investigation to Moonves and others.
New York AG office Letitia James said he also gave them personal information on the alleged accuser and gave CBS a copy of their report.
Moonves, 73, was fired from CBS for cause in 2018 after 30 years of allegations of sexual misconduct
Senior CBS executives “then began investigating the victim’s personal circumstances and those of her family.”
Palka had previously been part of Moonve’s security detail for the Grammy Awards for several years and became friends with the top members of the team.
Both sides are accused of downplaying the woman’s complaint as the #MeToo movement reached boiling point.
The LAPD captain assured workers that they had “implemented controls to prevent any portion of the report from leaking to the press.
In a text message obtained by the AG, Moonves said: “Hopefully we can kill media from PD. Then figure [sic] What [Complainant #1] want.’
The allegations did not become public until eight months after the initial complaint, with James’ office confirming they had “deliberately withheld” them.
Her office confirmed that CBS and Moonves would pay $30.5 million, with much of the money going to CBS shareholders, who were also kept in the dark.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore told the Times that his department only recently became aware of the allegations involving a senior official.
Les Moonves (right) with wife Julie Chen Moonves (left). The couple’s marriage has remained intact despite the spate of accusations against Moonves and his widely publicized sacking from CBS
He said: “Most appalling is the alleged breach of trust of a sexual assault victim by one of the most vulnerable members of the LAPD.
“This undermines public trust and does not reflect our values as an organization.”
An LAPD spokeswoman confirmed that the department is “fully cooperating with the New York and California AG offices” and has also launched an internal investigation.
The report included other findings, including that Gil Schwartz — former CBS chief communications officer — had sold more than 160,000 CBS shares in June 2018 when the allegations came to light.
Schwartz, who has since passed away, made the company more than $8.8 million despite knowing the malicious information would come out.
Moonves is also accused of misleading investors about the level of sexual harassment at the channel.
He may not serve as an officer or officer of any public company doing business in New York for five years unless written approval is obtained from James’ office.
It was confirmed yesterday that Moonves would pay nearly $10 million to shareholders to end the New York Attorney General’s investigation.
Paramount will pay over $7.25 million, while Moonves will personally pay $2.5 million after being ousted on allegations of sexual misconduct spanning 30 years.
The $9.75 million settlement will supplement an earlier $14.75 million settlement paid by Paramount’s insurers.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni, Attorney Todd Cosenza wrote, “While the defendants neither admit nor deny any liability or wrongdoing, the defendants will agree to provide additional financial relief to be distributed as restitution to shareholders consisting of $7.25 million from defendant CBS Corporation and $2.5 million from defendant Leslie Moonves for a total of $9.75 million.’
The deal requires personal approval from New York Attorney General Letitia James before it can go through.