Matt Lauer scandal: NBC vows no payout, starts in-house probe of how misconduct happened

Many are still reeling two days after NBC News fired long-time morning host Matt Lauer Wednesday for inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. 

Lauer released a statement Thursday, saying some "of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly."

Here's the latest, as it happens:

NBC exec: Lauer fired 'for cause,' won't get payout on his contract

NBC will not be paying out any of the millions remaining on the fired Today show host's contract, the Associated Press reported Friday.   

Lauer is said to have earned around $25 million a year on his current contract, which runs through 2018 and made him one of TV's highest-paid journalists.

Some NBC News employees who raised the question of Lauer's compensation at a staff meeting Friday were told that he was fired "for cause" and wouldn't be paid beyond his last day, which was Tuesday. 

Under most network employment contracts, on-air talent can be fired for violating terms such as a morals clause prohibiting inappropriate behavior. 

NBC News chief Andy Lack appoints an inside-NBC panel to review Lauer mess

How could Lauer's "appalling behavior" be allowed to happen? NBC News Chairman Andy Lack said Friday he's appointed a team inside NBC to investigate. Plus, he plans to boost sexual harassment training and encourage better communication at the network.

Lack, who has been leading NBC since 2015 (his second term at the top of the network), has been grappling with the fallout of the Lauer firing, including questions about why he and other top executives didn't know about Lauer before Monday, and suggestions that he might lose his job as a result. 

"Many of you have asked what we are doing to learn as much as we can about the circumstances around Matt Lauer's appalling behavior, why this was able to happen, and why it wasn’t reported sooner," Lack said in a memo to NBC employees sent to USA TODAY. 

He said a team of "the most experienced NBCUniversal Legal and Human Resources leaders have begun a thorough and timely review of what happened and what we can do to build a culture of greater transparency, openness and respect for each other," the memo read. "At the conclusion of the review we will share what we’ve learned, no matter how painful, and act on it."

Media watchers have suggested that Comcast, NBC's parent company, should bring in an outside panel to independently investigate the Lauer matter, on the grounds that it's problematic for an organization to investigate itself.

Lack also said in his memo that the news division will bolster its sexual harassment training, launching "an immediate effort to implement in-person training on sexual harassment awareness and appropriate behavior in the workplace." 

In addition to the meetings the network has already had this week with various teams and departments, he said leaders of every group within NBC News will be encouraged to have smaller, more informal gatherings to further discuss sexual harassment issues on an ongoing basis.

"This week we saw that when an employee comes forward to report misconduct, the system works. The complaint is quickly assessed and meaningful action is taken," Lack's memo said. "But we also learned that we must do a much better job of making people feel empowered to take that crucial first step of reporting bad behavior."

On Wednesday, after firing Lauer, Lack said in a statement there had been no complaints against Lauer about his behavior in more than 20 years. Later the network issued another statement saying that no one in the "current" management of the network knew anything about Lauer's behavior prior to Monday night when a complaint was filed by a woman colleague accusing Lauer of sexual misconduct. 

"The most vital thing we’ve done since terminating Matt Lauer’s employment on Tuesday night has been spending time listening to your concerns, your feedback, your ideas on how we move forward as an organization," Lack said. 

He concluded with reminding employees to "speak up and raise any concerns" about inappropriate conduct they have experienced or observed.

"It is always the right thing to do, and any concerns raised should be done without fear of retaliation, and with full assurance that they will be investigated," Lack promised.

First photos of Lauer after firing

The first photos of the former Today show host have emerged Friday after news broke about allegations of sexual misconduct this week. 

At the top of the NBC's morning TV show, Hoda Kotb reported that the first image of Lauer had emerged, taken as he exited a Jeep at his home in East Hampton, Long Island. 

Kotb said her former colleague is facing accusations from three women who have come forward to NBC, though there could be as many as six. None of the women have been identified.

On Thursday, NBC News' Stephanie Gosk had reported on Megyn Kelly Today there may be as many as eight women who have come forward since Lauer was fired to accuse him of misconduct. However, that number was lowered in Friday's report.

More:After Matt Lauer firing, NBC chief Andy Lack faces more questions about a network in crisis

More:Matt Lauer scandal: There may be as many as 8 victims, Lauer breaks his silence

Lauer's ex-wife speaks out

Writer and producer Nancy Alspaugh, who was married to Lauer from 1981 to 1988, told Entertainment Tonight that she was shocked by his firing in an interview published Thursday.

"He’s been the best person that’s ever held that job and I couldn’t imagine that anything that he would have done — that would have been so out of character for him — that would have caused that reaction," she said. 

Alspaugh went on praising her ex-husband's character and generosity, saying some of the allegations may not be true.

"He’s just a very giving person and charming and I think a lot of this stuff is obviously going to come to light, whether it’s true or not, and some of the things that are being stated may not be true," she said. "We have to find that out, you know? As time goes on here, people should be aware there’s a family involved here. There are three children and that’s — I think it’s important to be aware that this can destroy a family. Reporting on accusations before they know whether they’re real or not.”

Lauer's second wife, model Annette Roque, to whom he's been married for 19 years,has not spoken publicly since his firing. They have two sons and a daughter.