PHOTOSTom Brokaw Responds To Sexual Harassment Claims
Oct. 2 2020, Updated 8:44 p.m. ET
NBC anchor Tom Brokaw has responded to sexual harassment accusations, after a former colleague accused him of forcibly trying to kiss her on more than one occasion. The TV personality is now denying the claims.
Former NBC war correspondent Linda Vester told The Washington Post that when she worked with Tom in the 1990s, he made multiple unwanted advances toward her. "He grabbed me behind my neck and tried to force me to kiss him," she described of one incident. "I could smell alcohol on his breath, but he was totally sober. He spoke clearly. He was in control of his faculties."
At the time, Tom was 52 and Linda was 28. A year later, the anchor attempted to force himself on her again. "He reached behind my neck and tried to force my head toward him and force me to kiss him," she explained.
Now, Tom, 78, is denying these allegations. "I met with Linda Vester on two occasions, both at her request, 23 years ago, because she wanted advice with respect to her career at NBC," he said. "The meetings were brief, cordial and appropriate, and despite Linda's allegations, I made no romantic overtures towards her, at that time or any other."
Linda's lawyer, Ari Wilkenfeld, told Variety that his client is speaking up about these incidents now because she thinks her experience draws attention to a toxic culture at NBC News.
"What Linda is doing, like others before her have done, is to give her truthful account in the hope that other women will not have to endure what she did," Ari said.
What do you think about Tom's response to the sexual harassment accusations? Let us know in the comments.
