CBS Still Giving Moonves and Office and Security

Les Moonves might have been canned from CBS, but he still has an office paid for by the network and a security detail.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Moonves may have resigned as CEO of CBS Corp. on Sept. 9 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, but the company is retaining him for up to two more years as an unpaid adviser, supplying him an office and paying for a security detail. Why?

While a departing CEO is often retained — usually with a hefty salary — to help transition the newcomer, the arrangement with Moonves is raising some eyebrows. "Les Moonves is a serial sexual predator," says Shaunna Thomas, executive director of the women's group UltraViolet. "For CBS to keep him on — even as an unpaid adviser — is wholly unacceptable. He is a danger to their employees and should have no relationship with the company going forward." (Moonves has denied the claims.)

CBS had no comment on the arrangement. But people close to the situation tell THR that the office the company is providing Moonves is likely in Los Angeles near his homes in Malibu and Beverly Hills (he also keeps a residence in New York) at property not owned by CBS, so there's no reason employees need to encounter their embattled former leader.

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