Current:Home > StocksLA ethics panel rejects proposed fine for ex-CBS exec Les Moonves over police probe interference -ValueCore
LA ethics panel rejects proposed fine for ex-CBS exec Les Moonves over police probe interference
View
Date:2025-04-24 06:19:37
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission unanimously rejected a proposed settlement between the city and Les Moonves on Wednesday, saying a tougher penalty is warranted for the former CBS chief executive accused of interfering with a police investigation into sexual assault allegations against him.
Moonves had agreed to pay an $11,250 fine to settle the ethics commission complaint, which alleged that he worked closely with a police department official to obtain information about a sexual assault victim’s confidential police report.
Ethics commission staff worked with Moonves on the proposed fine, but it still needed approval by the volunteer panel that oversees the commission, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The commissioners felt that the “extremely egregious nature of the allegations” warranted a stronger penalty, ethics commission president Jeffrey Daar said.
A Moonves representative declined to comment to the Times on Wednesday’s action.
According to documents released last Friday, Moonves acknowledged working closely with then-Capt. Cory Palka of the Los Angeles Police Department in 2017 to get details of the police report.
Palka, who had provided private security for Moonves between 2008 and 2014 at the Grammy Awards, which CBS produced, notified network officials about the complaint against the executive in November 2017, the documents show.
Through Palka, they say, Moonves obtained an unredacted copy of the police report, which also included personal information such as the home address and phone number of the accuser. Moonves also met with Palka for an hour at a restaurant to discuss the complaint and ways to quash it.
Moonves was accused of three violations of city rules.
Palka retired in 2021 as a commander after nearly 35 years with the LAPD.
Los Angeles’ Government Ethics Ordinance governs the conduct of city employees and forbids them from misusing or disclosing confidential information acquired through their work.
Weeks after the #MeToo movement erupted with sex abuse allegations against film mogul Harvey Weinstein in 2017, Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb reported to police in the LAPD’s Hollywood Division that she had been sexually assaulted by Moonves in 1986 and 1988 when they worked together at Lorimar Productions.
Golden-Gottlieb, who went public with her accusations in 2018, died in 2022.
The police interference allegations against Moonves came to light in 2022, when New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement in which CBS and Moonves agreed to pay $30.5 million for keeping shareholders in the dark while executives tried to prevent the sexual assault allegations from becoming public.
Moonves acknowledged having relations with three of his accusers but said they were consensual. He denied attacking anyone, saying in a statement at the time, “Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me.”
The Los Angeles County district attorney declined to file criminal charges against Moonves in 2018, saying the statute of limitations from Golden-Gottlieb’s allegations had expired.
veryGood! (373)
Related
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- 'Do I really need to floss?' and other common questions about dental care
- 2018’s Hemispheric Heat Wave Wasn’t Possible Without Climate Change, Scientists Say
- Florida Fracking Ban Bill Draws Bipartisan Support
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- George W. Bush's anti-HIV program is hailed as 'amazing' — and still crucial at 20
- All the Dazzling Details Behind Beyoncé's Sun-Washed Blonde Look for Her Renaissance Tour
- This Racism Is Killing Me Inside
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Pandemic food assistance that held back hunger comes to an end
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- An Obscure Issue Four Years Ago, Climate Emerged as a Top Concern in New Hampshire
- Shell Sells Nearly All Its Oil Sands Assets in Another Sign of Sector’s Woes
- Emotional Vin Diesel Details How Meadow Walker’s Fast X Cameo Honors Her Late Dad Paul Walker
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Iowa Supreme Court declines to reinstate law banning most abortions
- Tennessee becomes the first state to pass a ban on public drag shows
- 6 Ways Trump’s Denial of Science Has Delayed the Response to COVID-19 (and Climate Change)
Recommendation
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Is chocolate good for your heart? Finally the FDA has an answer – kind of
Prince Harry Shared Fear Meghan Markle Would Have Same Fate As Princess Diana Months Before Car Chase
Billie Eilish and Boyfriend Jesse Rutherford Break Up After Less Than a Year Together
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Look-Alike Son Joseph Baena Breaks Down His Fitness Routine in Shirtless Workout
Coastal Flooding Is Erasing Billions in Property Value as Sea Level Rises. That’s Bad News for Cities.
San Fran Finds Novel, and Cheaper, Way for Businesses to Go Solar