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A spokesman for the PBS said that the company will not be able to distribute Tavis Smiley due to various, credible allegations of sexual misconduct. These allegations have been discovered by a recent investigation into the alleged behavior of the late-night show host. News regarding the suspension of Smiley’s show, produced by TS Media (an independent production company) was first reported by Variety. PBS Vice President for Corporate Communications Jennifer R. Byrne said in a statement that the company had engaged an outside law firm to investigate allegations regarding Mr. Smiley.  This investigation included interviews with witnesses with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry disclosed various credible allegations of sexual conduct that is conflicting with the values and standards of PBS.

Source further indicated that the investigation discovered credible allegations that Smiley had connected in sexual relationships with a number of subordinates. Some interviewed witnesses also expressed their concern that their employment status was connected to the status of a sexual relationship with Smiley. Moreover, witnesses also described Smiley as creating a verbally abusive and threatening environment and some of them expressed their concerns regarding retaliation. Smiley hasn’t yet responded to our requests for comment. Smiley’s half-hour show filmed in Los Angeles has been distributed by PBS since 2004 and airs in New York, Chicago, Southern California, San Francisco, Philadelphia and in other areas of the country.