Matt Lauer's Statement On Misconduct Claims: 'I Am Truly Sorry'

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY – Matt Lauer, who was fired Wednesday from his 20-year stint as co-anchor of NBC's "Today" for claims of sexual misconduct, released a statement Thursday apologizing for his bad behavior.

Lauer apologized to the women he harmed, NBC and his family, but maintained that some of the stories about his conduct are untrue. The full statement was acquired by CNN Media Reporter Brian Stelter, who posted it to Twitter.

"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," Lauer said in the statement. "To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC."

Lauer was fired Wednesday morning after an NBC employee complained about "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace." Co-host Savannah Guthrie made the announcement on the "Today" show broadcast.

"This is a sad day at 'Today' and at NBC News," Guthrie said at the top of the broadcast.

Guthrie read a memo from NBC News Chairman Andy Lack which stated that Lauer was named in a "detailed complaint" Monday night.

"It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment," Lack said in the memo.

After Lauer's firing, Variety published a two-month investigation detailing complaints of Lauer's sexual harassment from three women who wished to remain anonymous. Lauer reportedly gifted one woman a sex toy with a detailed note explaining how he wanted to use it on her, dropped his pants in front of another colleague and asked female colleagues who they had slept with, Variety reported.

Lauer even had a button underneath his desk so he could discreetly lock his office door from the inside without getting up, Variety reported.

While Lauer's misconduct was well known at "Today" and NBC, network executives often ignored complaints due to Lauer's $25 million contract and his role in earning "Today" top rankings among morning newscasts, Variety reported.

Read the full Variety investigation here.

Lauer, 59, joined "The Today Show" in 1994 as a news anchor. He was named an official co-anchor of the show in 1997. During his tenure on the show he interviewed some of the world's biggest celebrities and most powerful people.

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