WNYC/New York Fires Leonard Lopate, Jonathan Schwartz

Firings

After initially placing longtime hosts LEONARD LOPATE and JONATHAN SCHWARTZ on leave after allegations of inappropriate conduct against them arose (NET NEWS 12/6), NEW YORK PUBLIC MEDIA News-Talk WNYC-A-F/NEW YORK has now fired both hosts.  The firings were made by management with the support of the Board of Trustees' Executive Committee.

In a statement issued TODAY (12/21), the station said that it had conducted two separate investigations overseen by outside counsel, and had found that "each individual had violated our standards for providing an inclusive, appropriate, and respectful work environment."  The station said that the probe into LOPATE's conduct followed a "previous substantiated investigation in FEBRUARY of this year of inappropriate remarks made by LOPATE to staff," which had resulted in "one-on-one anti-harassment training" and a warning.  As for SCHWARTZ, the investigation "followed previous complaints, including as recently as NOVEMBER of this year, that were investigated and substantiated by NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO and resulted in disciplinary action at those times."

The statement concluded, "We recognize that LEONARD LOPATE and JONATHAN SCHWARTZ have made many contributions to NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO and we are deeply saddened to have to take these steps. But our higher commitment continues to be to ensure an inclusive and respectful environment for our staff, guests and listeners."  Shortly before the LOPATE and SCHWARTZ suspensions, the station had another harassment scandal on its hands with allegations against former "THE TAKEAWAY" host JOHN HOCKENBERRY.

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