Report: Multiple Women Accuse Legendary TV Host Charlie Rose of Sexual Harassment

In what is just the latest bombshell revelation regarding allegations of sexual harassment against high profile figures, from New York City to Washington, D.C. to Hollywood, the Washington Post reported Monday that at least eight women now say that legendary newsman Charlie Rose acted inappropriately toward them. At least one woman, according to the Post’s investigation, said that one of the incidents happened as recently as 2011.

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The report comes amid a broader shockwave of sexual harassment and assault allegations from multiple women against cultural and political power players like Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Bill O’Reilly, Louis C.K., Judge Roy Moore and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.). According to the Post, rumors swirled for years about Rose and his alleged misconduct toward women, so after the wave of allegations against other men, the Washington Post reached out to women who had worked for Rose and asked whether Rose ever sexually harassed them.

Eight women the Post contacted said that Rose did sexually harass them. Three of those women gave their names. The remaining five women who claimed Rose acted inappropriately toward them did not agree to speak on the record for fear of retribution.

The Post reported the allegations ranged from Rose making lewd phone calls to the women, to walking around naked or partially naked in front of them, to groping their legs, breasts, and buttocks.

The women’s ages range from 21 to 37, according to the Post. Rose is 75.

Rose acknowledged the allegations in a statement published by the Post on Monday.

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In my 45 years in journalism, I have prided myself on being an advocate for the careers of the women with whom I have worked. Nevertheless, in the past few days, claims have been made about my behavior toward some former female colleagues. It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken. I have learned a great deal as a result of these events, and I hope others will too. All of us, including me, are coming to a newer and deeper recognition of the pain caused by conduct in the past, and have come to a profound new respect for women and their lives.

Given that Rose does not deny the allegations — in fact, he admits to at least some of them — his future as host of the “Charlie Rose Show” on PBS and his role as co-host of “CBS This Morning and “60 Minutes” contributor remains uncertain. It’s worth noting that one of the claims against Rose allegedly happened in 2011, the same year CBS hired Rose as co-host of its morning program. However, the Post reported that none of the women worked for CBS or PBS.

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CBS and PBS said there have been no sexual harassment complaints against Rose to either company. Bloomberg, from whose New York City headquarters that Rose films his PBS program, also said it has not received complaints.

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