Tavis Smiley denies all sexual misconduct allegations on 'Good Morning America'

CLOSE

Tavis Smiley shot back on Facebook, vowing to fight back after PBS fired him amid allegations of sexual misconduct. (Dec. 14) AP

Tavis Smiley fired back against allegations of sexual misconduct and creating a hostile work environment for his employees Monday in his first live interview since being suspended indefinitely by PBS. 

But PBS responded to the appearance by saying the Smiley has been inconsistent, and that he needed to "get his story straight." 

The Indiana University graduate and Bunker Hill. Indiana, native appeared on "Good Morning America" Monday to address the allegations in an interview with ABC News correspondent Paula Faris.

Smiley said that he has engaged in workplace relationships, but said that they were consensual and not prohibited by his company. He added that many Americans fall in love with and eventually marry people they work with.

More: Varvel: Why Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose fell

More: A complete list of prominent people accused of sexual misconduct since Harvey Weinstein

Smiley also applauded all the women who have spoken out against sexual assault and sparked the #MeToo movement. 

"Let me be clear: I own my company, PBS distributes my content. In our employee handbook, while we do not encourage office relationships, we do not forbid them, either. And we don't forbid them because I don't know where your heart is going to lead you," Smiley said. "I don't know who you're going to hang out with, or date, or fall in love with."

When it comes to claims that he fostered a verbally abusive work environment, Smiley called his working environment "intense," but not abusive. 

"Some of the most intense places in our business are in control rooms around this country, that's not for everyone, so it might be that the environment wasn't good for you ... I'm not an angry black man, and this notion of a hostile environment just doesn't fit," he said.

Smiley hosted "Tavis Smiley," a half-hour interview program that premiered in 2004 and aired weeknights on PBS stations. He told Faris that one woman with whom he engaged in a sexual relationship is still employed on his staff, but claimed that he never gave any of his workplace sexual partners preferential treatment, nor retaliated against them in any way.

PBS sent a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday declaring that the public broadcaster had "indefinitely suspended" distribution of Tavis Smiley, produced by Smiley's independent production company, TS Media. PBS declined to discuss the nature of the allegations.

Variety reported, quoting unnamed sources, that the investigation found credible allegations that Smiley had engaged in sexual relationships with multiple subordinates, and that some believed their jobs depended on a sexual relationship with Smiley. Also, Smiley was accused of creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment and employees feared retaliation.

When asked about his former network, Smiley claimed that PBS "only agreed to talk to me after weeks of investigation they didn't tell me about," after he threatened to sue. 

Only under a threat of a lawsuit did they agree to sit down and talk to me," Smiley said. "When they did ... they never told me who the accuser was, what the allegations were, never allowed me to provide any information, they didn't give me due process."

When asked if he would go back to PBS if reinstated, Smiley said he was unsure.

"I don't know," Smiley said. "PBS made a huge mistake here. They need to fix this, they need to correct it."

In a rebuttal issued Monday, a PBS spokesperson argued that Smiley has been inconsistent as to the number of employees with whom he's had sexual contact and questioning the sincerity of his support for the women who came forward when his company required them to sign non-disclosure agreements. 

"Witnesses who have bravely come forward to speak with the independent investigators retained by PBS report a fear of retribution for speaking out," the network said, noting, "Additional allegations are continuing to come to light since last week’s announcement. "

The statement continued, "PBS stands by the integrity of its investigation, which has been conducted by an outside firm with expertise in such matters. Mr. Smiley’s own words today coupled with the information discovered during the investigation confirms PBS’ decision to indefinitely suspend the distribution of Tavis Smiley."

After growing up in Indiana, Smiley, the oldest of 10 children, paid a friend $10 to drive him from Kokomo to Bloomington, where he had been admitted to Indiana University, according to a release from the university. He graduated with a degree in public and environmental affairs and in 2007 received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award, the highest honor given by School of Public and Environmental Affairs, according to the university. 

Smiley is the second PBS late-night host to face allegations of sexual misconduct, following the derailing of Charlie Rose's career on PBS and CBS.

The USA Today contributed to this story. Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138 or email him at justin.mack@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.