Tavis Smiley slams PBS investigation, denies sexual misconduct claims

Suspended PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley insisted on Thursday that sexual harassment allegations against him are untrue.

“I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth,” he posted on Facebook shortly after midnight.

“To be clear, I have never groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately to any workplace colleague in my entire broadcast career.”

Smiley said he had a consensual relationship with a colleague years ago but didn’t harass any woman.

“Put simply, PBS overreacted and conducted a biased and sloppy investigation, which led to a rush to judgment, and trampling on a reputation that I have spent an entire lifetime trying to establish,” he wrote. “This has gone too far. And, I, for one, intend to fight back.”

PBS announced Wednesday it had found complaints against Smiley to be credible and would no longer distribute “Tavis Smiley,” which is produced independently.

The Los Angeles-based Smiley has had his half-hour show distributed by PBS since 2004.