NBC Confirms Former Misconduct Claim Against Chris Matthews

NBC paid severance to a female employee in 1999 after the staffer accused MSNBC host Chris Matthews of sexual harassment, the network confirmed Sunday. “In 1999 this matter was thoroughly reviewed and dealt with. At that time Matthews received a formal reprimand,” an MSNBC spokesperson told NBC News. The female staffer, whom The Daily Caller identified as an assistant producer on Hardball with Chris Matthews, had reportedly complained to executives that Matthews made inappropriate comments and jokes about her in front of others. The spokesperson said the incident was reviewed and it was determined that Matthews’ comments were not meant as propositions. While MSNBC declined to specify the sum of the staffer’s severance pay for confidentiality reasons, The Daily Caller said the network paid out about $40,000. Matthews has yet to comment on the report. The news comes after NBC News fired longtime Today host Matt Lauer following multiple sexual misconduct allegations.