Jeff Shell was removed as CEO of NBCUniversal following an internal investigation into his relationship with Hadley Gamble, an overseas correspondent.
In a securities filing released Monday, Comcast disclosed that the company had received a complaint regarding “inappropriate conduct,” including sexual harassment. The investigation revealed “evidence that corroborated the allegations,” which led to Shell’s termination “with cause.”
Gamble is based in Abu Dhabi, where she anchors the “Capital Connection” broadcast. She has been with CNBC since 2010 and has previously worked at CNN in Abu Dhabi, as well as ABC News and Fox News in Washington.
In a statement, Gamble’s attorney confirmed that she had filed a complaint against Shell for sexual harassment and sex discrimination.
“The investigation into Mr. Shell resulted from a complaint by my client regarding sexual harassment and sex discrimination. Given these circumstances, it is very disappointing that my client’s name has been disclosed and her privacy violated,” said attorney Suzanne McKie of Farore Law.
Shell issued an apology on Sunday for having had an “inappropriate relationship” with an unnamed company employee. Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, and Shell announced in a joint statement that he would step down immediately following the internal investigation’s findings.
“Following a complaint that Jeffrey Shell, CEO of NBCUniversal, engaged in inappropriate conduct with a female employee, including allegations of sexual harassment, Comcast Corporation (the ‘Company’) retained outside counsel to investigate the allegations,” the company said in its Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
“During the investigation, evidence was uncovered that corroborated the allegations. As a result, on April 23, 2023, the Company terminated Mr. Shell’s employment with cause under his employment agreement, effective immediately.”
Gamble continues her reporting. Last week, she interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and in October 2021, she spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an energy forum in Moscow, covering topics such as his succession plans, cryptocurrency, and the wellbeing of jailed dissident Alexei Navalny.
Shell has been with Comcast since 2004 and became CEO of NBCUniversal in 2020. Previously, he was chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment, overseeing Universal Pictures.
Going forward, Shell’s team will report directly to Comcast President Mike Cavanagh. An interim CEO for NBCUniversal has not yet been named.
In August 2020, Shell was involved in the departure of Ron Meyer, the vice chairman of NBCUniversal, due to a brief affair that led to an alleged extortion plot. At the time, Shell stated that Meyer had informed the company of actions that “were not consistent with our company policies or values.”
