In Leslie Moonves sex scandal at CBS, portrait emerges of a culture of fear, entitlement — and little accountability
LOS ANGELES - Leslie Moonves was a television great.
CBS Corp.'s former chief executive turned a moribund network into America's most-watched. He had a knack for picking hit shows, creating stars out of nobodies and making millions of dollars for investors.
Wall Street loved him. Advertisers were in awe. CBS board members made him one of America's highest-paid executives - his compensation last year topped $69 million - and a tight circle of executives gave him their unconditional support.
And that was the problem.
This week, lawyers who have been investigating Moonves' alleged sexual misconduct are expected to deliver their findings to the CBS board. With each new revelation, a portrait has emerged of a culture of fear, entitlement and little accountability at the broadcasting company.
Moonves' reign, which abruptly ended when he was fired Sept. 9, seems to be a throwback to an earlier era in Hollywood, when the town was ruled by larger-than-life
