The CBS CEO, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, is accused of unwanted kissing and touching in a New Yorker article set to be published Friday. The New Yorker is poised to publish an article by Ronan Farrow that includes allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of embattled CBS chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. CBS said in a statement to the New Yorker that there have been no misconduct claims or settlements against Moonves during his career at the network. The company’s independent board issued a statement saying it takes allegations of misconduct seriously, without identifying Moonves. "The Independent Directors of CBS have committed to investigating claims that violate the Company’s clear policies in that regard. Upon the conclusion of that investigation, which involves recently reported allegations that go back several decades, the Board will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action.” 
 
 CBS added: “The timing of this report comes in the midst of the Company’s very public legal dispute. While that litigation process continues, the CBS management team has the full support of the independent board members. Along with that team, we will continue to focus on creating value for our shareowners.” 
 
 The allegations are said in part to involve instances of unwanted kissing and touching that occurred more than 20 years ago, as well as numerous claims that occurred more recently. The 68-year-old executive is married to Julie Chen, co-host of The Talk. Farrow, the reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged pattern of rape and sexual assault, is said to have investigated Moonves and the environment at CBS for months, as rumors swirled through the industry that such an article was in the works. It is unclear what impact The New Yorker report will have at a time when Moonves is locked in litigation with Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder in both CBS and Viacom. In May, CBS filed a lawsuit against Shari Redstone, her father Sumner Redstone and NAI alleging that NAI's proposed CBS-Viacom merger "is not in the best interests of CBS stockholders." CBS received unwelcome scrutiny in November when it fired Charlie Rose after The Washington Post reported that eight women had accused the talk-show host and co-anchor of CBS This Morning of sexual misconduct. Over the course of his tenure, the network has commanded top ratings and produced such hits as The Big Bang Theory, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, SURVIVOR, Everybody Loves Raymond and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Redstone's National Amusements is the principal shareholder of both companies, which had split into separate publicly traded corporations in late 2005. Fager is also a former chairman of CBS News.
– Ronan Farrow, the journalist whose work helped bring down Harvey Weinstein, has another powerful figure in his sights: Leslie Moonves, the CEO of CBS. To be clear, the story in the New Yorker isn't out yet, but it's expected to be published Friday afternoon, per the Hollywood Reporter. Details are sparse so far, but THR says the piece will raise allegations against Moonves "of unwanted kissing and touching that occurred more than 20 years ago, as well as numerous claims that occurred more recently." CBS' independent board is already out with a statement, saying that it takes all such allegations seriously and is investigating the claims. "Upon the conclusion of that investigation, which involves recently reported allegations that go back several decades, the Board will promptly review the findings and take appropriate action." Moonves, 68, is "perhaps one of the most influential figures in entertainment," per Deadline, while THR calls him "one of the most powerful men in Hollywood." Even though the story has yet to publish, advance reports about it seem to be taking a toll: CBS shares were down 7%, reports CNBC. The story will publish with Moonves and CBS currently engaged in a nasty legal fight with Shari Redstone, controlling shareholder for both CBS and Viacom, who wants to merge the two companies. Both parties have sued each other in a bid for control, and while CBS shares were sinking, Viacom's were up 4.5%. As the buzz builds, Farrow tweeted this: "A quick reminder that I don’t comment on reporting I haven’t published, and if you’re reading about my work from secondary sources you’re often not getting the full or correct story—especially in cases where parties have an interest in downplaying or otherwise spinning."