Louis C.K. Admits To Sexual Misconduct: 'These Stories Are True'
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Louis C.K. has admitted that the sexual misconduct allegations brought against him by five women were true.
In a statement Friday, the comedian confessed that the allegations detailed in a New York Times report occurred.
"These stories are true," C.K. wrote. "At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my d*** without asking first, which is also true. But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your d*** isn't a question. It's a predicament for them."
On Friday, the distributor for Louis C.K.'s new film "I Love You, Daddy" cancelled the nationwide release. Netflix also announced it had dumped a planned stand-up special with C.K.
Following his apology, FX Networks and FX Productions also announced on Friday afternoon they were "ending our association" with C.K. and cancelling their deal with his production company, Pig Newton.
In addition, the comedian was dropped from HBO's "A Night Of Too Many Stars," and the film "Secret Life of Pets 2." His longtime management firm, 3 Arts, also cut ties with him. APA, the agency that booked C.K. on comedy tours also announced they were ending their association.
Friday, C.K.'s publicist Lewis Kay also said he would no longer rep him.
C.K. produced five shows for FX, including his much acclaimed series "Louie," along with "Better Things," "Baskets," "One Mississippi" and "The Cops."
"Better Things" star and co-creator Pamela Adlon -- C.K.'s creative partner and friend -- said in a statement she was "devastated" by his admission.
"I feel deep sorrow and empathy for the women who have come forward," she wrote "I am asking for privacy at this time for myself and my family."
She added, "I am processing and grieving and hope to say more as soon as I am able."
Read Louis C.K.'s full statement below:
"I want to address the stories told to the New York Times by five women named Abby, Rebecca, Dana, Julia who felt able to name themselves and one who did not.
"These stories are true. At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my d*** without asking first, which is also true. But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your d*** isn't a question. It's a predicament for them. The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly.
"I have been remorseful of my actions. And I've tried to learn from them. And run from them. Now I'm aware of the extent of the impact of my actions. I learned yesterday the extent to which I left these women who admired me feeling badly about themselves and cautious around other men who would never have put them in that position.
"I also took advantage of the fact that I was widely admired in my and their community, which disabled them from sharing their story and brought hardship to them when they tried because people who look up to me didn't want to hear it. I didn't think that I was doing any of that because my position allowed me not to think about it.
"There is nothing about this that I forgive myself for. And I have to reconcile it with who I am. Which is nothing compared to the task I left them with.
"I wish I had reacted to their admiration of me by being a good example to them as a man and given them some guidance as a comedian, including because I admired their work.
"The hardest regret to live with is what you've done to hurt someone else. And I can hardly wrap my head around the scope of hurt I brought on them. I'd be remiss to exclude the hurt that I've brought on people who I work with and have worked with who's professional and personal lives have been impacted by all of this, including projects currently in production: the cast and crew of Better Things, Baskets, The Cops, One Mississippi, and I Love You Daddy. I deeply regret that this has brought negative attention to my manager Dave Becky who only tried to mediate a situation that I caused. I've brought anguish and hardship to the people at FX who have given me so much The Orchard who took a chance on my movie. and every other entity that has bet on me through the years."
Melissa Silverstein, founder of Women And Hollywood. , was not impressed with the admission.
She told CBS2's Amy Johnson that C.K. was not contrite.
"It was a non apology," she said ,"He didn't say he was sorry."
Steve Meister -- CBS2/KCAL9's Legal Analyst -- was asked what might be next in this case?
"Criminally, probably nothing," Meister said, "Because I'm guessing the statutes of limitations has already run on what would be a misdemeanor indecent exposure."