ABC News President Kim Godwin told staff Thursday at a conference call that she had called for an independent investigation into how the network handled sexual assault allegations against former “Good Morning America” executive producer .
The comments came a day after a lawsuit was filed alleging the producer, Michael Corn, sexually assaulted a current ABC News member and a former staff member in separate incidents. Corn denied the misdemeanors and called the allegations false, citing email exchanges with the two women shortly after the incidents were supposed to have taken place. On Thursday he did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“We can’t make him investigate us. We need an independent person, “Ms Godwin said, according to a conference call recording.” The process needs to be independent. “
The lawsuit also named ABC as a defendant, saying the company did not respond adequately to allegations of alleged misconduct by Mr. Horn of several women.
During the call, Ms. Godwin said ABC News employees who were involved in processing complaints against Mr Corn would get the proper procedure, but their role would be investigated.