Tavis Smiley Slams PBS With Lawsuit After Firing Him For Sexual Misconduct Claims

February 22, 2018

Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

Tavis Smiley is not going out without a fight! The longtime talk show host is suing PBS for firing him after allegedly engaging in sexual activity with multiple employees. Smiley defended his innocence, following in the footsteps of Russell Simmons, who was accused of similar allegations.

Back in December, the 53-year old released a statement saying had never “groped, coerced, or exposed himself” to any of his colleagues, and anything that had happened was consensual.

My response to PBS suspension full text here: https://t.co/SzcQLfQWeX pic.twitter.com/8KX2QIr59B

— Tavis Smiley (@tavissmiley) December 14, 2017

Amidst the allegations and firing, the host landed a TV deal with The Word Network, called The Upside With Tavis Smiley. Ironically enough, he has a town hall series called, “The Conversation: Women, Men and the Workplace” where he discusses workplace ethics.

Now, fighting PBS for firing him. In the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Smiley accuses of PBS of acting in “a racially hostile manner” over the years, according to The Wrap.

The suit continues, “For example, PBS harassed Mr. Smiley about inviting controversial African-American figures on to his show. However, when Mr. Smiley brought equally controversial (if not more so) white figures, PBS remained silent.”

Could the firing be racially charged?

TELL US: What do you think?

TV One