CNN senior producer fired after misconduct investigation
Editor's note: This post has been updated with a statement from Davis' attorney
CNN said last week it had fired a senior producer on Jake Tapper's "State of the Union" show after what it said was a "comprehensive investigation" into what a network spokesperson said was related to sexual misconduct.
"A comprehensive investigation was conducted as soon as this matter was brought to our attention," CNN said in a statement. "The behavior attributed to Mr. (Teddy) Davis does not align with the standards and values of CNN and Mr. Davis is no longer with the company."
No further details about the allegations were released, but on Wednesday, Davis' attorney, Michael Weinsten, of Lavely & Singer, denied in a statement that the allegation was related either to a sexual harassment accusation or lewd behavior.
"My client was not accused of sexual harassment," Weinsten wrote. "Nor was he ever accused of any physical contact, language of a sexual nature or any sort of lewd conduct. While we are not going to get into details, out of respect for all those involved, this was something entirely different than what is being reported by some media outlets."
Tapper wrote in a tweet that he is fully supportive of the decision.
This tweet is accurate. When CNN executives were told about these complaints, they reacted swiftly and appropriately, as they should. Workplaces need to be safe and I am fully supportive of CNN's action. https://t.co/S4ZPNfTCPm
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 29, 2017
CNN's own reporting said that the network's investigation, citing a source with knowledge of the matter, had found that Davis had "at times made colleagues uncomfortable."
The news about Davis landed the same day that NBC fired longtime "Today" host Matt Lauer for alleged "inappropriate workplace behavior" and Minnesota Public Radio fired longtime "Prairie Home Companion" host Garrison Keillor.