Disgraced journalist Charlie Rose has admitted to “inappropriate” behavior including flirting and workplace relationships, according to a recent court filing.
In a deposition filed in New York Monday and published by NBC Wednesday, Rose admitted to flirting with high-profile female co-anchors and having multiple workplace relationships with colleagues throughout his 45-year career.
“No one seemed to object,” Rose replied when asked if he thought this behavior was “appropriate.”
Under questioning from lawyer Kenneth Goldberg, who is representing the three plaintiffs in the sexual harassment suit against Rose, the journalist admitted to flirting with co-anchors Gayle King, Norah O’Donnell and Bianna Golodryga, among other colleagues.
“All of us would in one way or the other touch each other, on the arm, hug each other,” Rose said of his flirting with King and O’Donnell. Rose added he would also kiss these co-anchors ”if we were greeting each other, saying hello or if we were saying goodbye.”
He added he’s “sure there are” male co-workers he’s kissed in greeting, as well, but he can’t remember them.
Rose also stated he has had workplace relationships in the past, though he realizes these were “inappropriate.”
“We have now come to understand and appreciate … that romantic relationships or intimacies were not appropriate in the workplace because, you know, because there was power and balance, and you were in some cases the boss and you had a relationship that was defined within the workplace,” he said.
USA TODAY has reached out to Goldberg and Rose for further comment.
In November 2017, The Washington Post published a story in which eight women said Rose had sexually harassed them in incidents occurring over two decades. Rose was fired by CBS, and PBS dropped his long-running interview show. The Post followed up with a May 2018 story chronicling accusations of sexual harassment against Rose by 27 more women.
After the second round of accusations were published, former co-workers Yuqing (“Chelsea”) Wei, Katherine Brooks Harris and Sydney McNeal filed a sexual harassment suit against Charlie Rose and CBS News. They charged the former “CBS This Morning” co-host and “60 Minutes” contributor with ”blatant and repeated sexual harassment” committed against the “three junior female employees in their 20s.”
CBS News settled with the women in December 2018.
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