Since his original suspension for alleged sexual misconduct last year, more women have come forward about Tavis Smiley‘s behavior while at PBS. In a new countersuit, the network says, “Smiley violated the network’s morals clause and seeks $1.9 million in returned salary plus unspecified damages. During a subsequent investigation conducted by an outside law firm, numerous other individuals, many of whom are women of color, who worked with Mr. Smiley or [Tavis Smiley Media] reported detailed accounts of Mr. Smiley engaging in inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct.”
The 53-year-old is now suing PBS for breach of contract. Back in December he released a statement saying had never “groped, coerced, or exposed himself” to any of his colleagues, and anything that had happened was consensual.