reckoning of so many organizations that so many organizations have been going through is long overdue and it must result in work places where all women, all people, feel safe and respected. >> harris: senior correspondent rick levinthal joins us outside nbc headquarters. rick? >> reporter: harris, matt lauer was nbc's highest paid employee, making a reported $25 million a year. he was the face of the "today" show for just over two decades. but his boss said the allegations against him were simply too detailed and a clear violation of company standards. and other news outlets including variety and the new york times are reporting today they've been working for weeks and months on stories of sexual misconduct by lauer. variety said nbc knew about it. well, before monday's meeting with the accuser said lauer sexually assaulted her during the winter olympics in 2014. in the statement from nbc news chairman he said, quote, this