. >> when we were writing our story, ramin brought up that story and we rewatched it and said the sameng to each other. we couldn't believe what we were hearing from him and then, of course, the sexual harassment scandal has been unfolding with many men in hollywood in the industry, we've been watching the "today" show as we've been doing our reporting and talking to each other and saying, how can he sit there and talk about this knowing what he's done? >> it seems like in your article that, you know, matt lauer is married and she filed for divorce at one point in 2006 and then decided not to go ahead with that but they've been living separate lives. what kind of an atmosphere was he creating on the staff? >> it was a very difficult atmosphere for the women. they were torn. they were worried if they didn't pay attention back, they would be sidelined. stories of women who disappear from the staff or leave under mysterious circumstances so there was a lot of fear because they were not sure how to react if he pursued them. >> i want to point out, one difference with matt is if you look at

joining us now is ramin, the new york bureau chief and one of the reporters who spoke to several of matt's accusers and broke the story in "variety" yesterday. great to have you here. >> thank you. >> breaking news moments ago is matt lauer is speaking out for the first time. he released his first public statement. brian just touched on it. here is the entire statement that matt lauer has put out. "there are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain i have caused others by words and actions. to the people i have hurt, i am truly sorry. as i am writing this i realize the depth of the damage and disappointment i have left behind at home and at nbc. some of what is being said about me is untrue or characterized, 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 daily. repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and i'm committed to beginning that effort. sit now my full time job. last two days have forced me to take a look at my own troubling flaws. it's been humbli

"variety" reporters elizabeth wagmeister and ramin setoodeh wrote the story. >> matt lauer's public persona as a squeaky clean's america's dad was very difficult from his private persona where he focused on women that worked at the "today" show, and there was a clear pattern of that. >> reporter: lauer is the latest in an expanding list of powerful men forced out of their jobs over charges of sexual misconduct, including now former "cbs this morning" co-anchor charlie rose. new to the list, def jam founder russell simmons, who earlier today resigned from his media company after a second woman alleged he forced her to have sex against her will. simmons doesn't deny the encounters but says he remembers them differently. as for lauer, nbc said in a statement that current management was never made aware of any allegations prior to monday night when the first woman came forward. anthony? >> mason: bianna golodryga, thanks. pressure is growing on the longest-serving member of the house of representatives to step down in the face of sexual misconduct accusations. more on that now from julianna gol