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Charlie Rose, the former television personality, has reached a settlement in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three women, following his departure from CBS News in 2017 and the cancellation of his PBS talk show. This legal case was part of the broader fallout from the #MeToo movement.
The lawsuit’s resolution was confirmed through court documents this week, although the specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed. The plaintiffs, who include Katherine Brooks Harris, Sydney McNeal, and Yuqing Wei, indicated in their statement that they do not harbor any “ill intent” towards Rose and acknowledge that his actions might be interpreted in various ways.
This lawsuit had been expected to go to trial on Monday in Manhattan, marking the culmination of a lengthy legal battle that involved considerable exchange of evidence and discussions surrounding the claims. In their statement, the women expressed that the litigation process helped both sides gain a clearer understanding of one another’s perspectives.
“Upon reflection, and with the benefit of discovery, we recognize that interpretations of conduct can vary significantly between individuals, and as such, we have agreed to settle the claims,” they stated. They made it clear that they do not attribute any malicious motives to Rose.
At 82 years old, a lawyer for Rose and his production company, Charlie Rose Inc., chose not to comment further on the settlement.
Previously, Rose had issued apologies for his actions, notably in a public statement delivered just before his firing in November 2017. He acknowledged the accusations made by at least eight women, expressing embarrassment and a desire for the women to know he was listening to their concerns. Rose admitted to behaving insensitively at times but also asserted that not all allegations were accurate, stating that he had mistakenly believed he was engaging in mutual feelings.
Rose’s fall from grace was emblematic of the #MeToo movement, which has held influential men accountable for sexual misconduct. Others, such as Matt Lauer and Harvey Weinstein, have also faced similar reprisals. Rose had previously criticized the plaintiffs in September 2018, stating that they were “exploiting the #MeToo movement” as he sought to dismiss the lawsuit.
Currently, Charlie Rose is hosting an interview show on YouTube, featuring guests like author Michael Lewis and broadcaster Bob Costas. The three women initially filed their lawsuit against Rose and CBS in May 2018, roughly six months following his firing from “CBS This Morning” and the end of his long-running PBS program.
During their time working with Rose, the plaintiffs, all in their early twenties, alleged that the veteran broadcaster subject them to repeated harassment, which included intrusive questions about their personal lives. Specific allegations detailed how Rose commented on their appearances, with claims that he stated his hiring preferences were based on his attractions to “tall women,” and another reference where he allegedly called Wei a “China doll.” Furthermore, the women claimed that CBS failed to take appropriate action to prevent the harassment.
In December 2018, CBS settled with the plaintiffs for an undisclosed amount, agreeing to keep the settlement terms private as requested by the women.
Should the case have proceeded to trial, Rose’s legal representation indicated they would need to counter the credibility of the plaintiffs’ claims, suggesting that prior statements made by the women showed a lack of significant concern regarding Rose’s behavior. Evidence presented suggested that Wei had told CBS Human Resources she hadn’t experienced anything “sexually inappropriate,” while McNeal reportedly conveyed to her therapist that she hadn’t been harassed by Rose. Similarly, it was noted that Harris characterized any harassment as “very subtle” and communicated to Rose that their interactions had been “always professional and respectful.”
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