Former NBC Producer Details Workplace Assault Allegations Against Matt Lauer
Former NBC staffer Brooke Nevils has provided new details about her allegations against former Today Show host Matt Lauer in excerpts from her upcoming book, highlighting the devastating impact of workplace misconduct on victims and their families.
In her memoir Unspeakable Things, set for release February 3, Nevils recounts the painful conversation with her mother after initially presenting a sanitized version of events that allegedly occurred during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
A Mother's Protective Instinct
According to Nevils, she had initially told approximately 10 to 12 people idealized versions of what happened, never suggesting it was anything other than consensual. However, her mother's reaction revealed the true gravity of the situation.
"Until I reported Matt, I probably told about 10 or 12 people sanitized, idealized versions of what happened," Nevils wrote. Her mother's response was immediate and visceral, with labored breathing before finally speaking words that shocked her daughter.
The mother's protective instincts kicked in as she recognized the power imbalance and potential exploitation involved. "You think you're being a grown-up, but you're being a stupid little girl," her mother reportedly said, words that Nevils described as "the meanest thing she had ever said to me" in her life.
Professional Consequences and Personal Struggles
Lauer, now 68, was terminated by NBC in November 2017 following the allegations. NBC News chairman Andrew Lack noted at the time that the company had "reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."
Nevils, who had worked her way up from giving studio tours to becoming a salaried prime-time news producer over nearly a decade, left the network permanently after taking a leave of absence. She describes experiencing severe psychological distress following the incidents, including compulsive behavior, paranoia, and substance abuse issues.
"I'd started at NBC giving studio tours, and it had taken nearly a decade to work my way up to salaried prime-time news producer. Now that life was gone," she wrote, detailing how the situation affected her mental health to the point of requiring psychiatric care.
Legal Disputes and Ongoing Impact
Lauer has consistently denied the allegations, with his legal representatives claiming any encounters were consensual. The former television host was previously mentioned in Ronan Farrow's 2019 book Catch and Kill, where similar allegations were first detailed publicly.
Nevils' account includes additional alleged incidents beyond the initial Sochi encounter, describing what she characterizes as a pattern of inappropriate workplace behavior that continued after the Olympics.
Nearly a decade later, Nevils has rebuilt her life and started a family. Her book aims to provide resources and perspective for others who may face similar situations in professional environments.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and the lasting impact that workplace misconduct can have on victims, their careers, and their families.