TV host Tavis Smiley is ordered to pay $2.6MILLION to PBS for having multiple affairs with his subordinates

Talk show host Tavis Smiley has been ordered to pay $2.6million to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) 'for violating the network's morals clause' by having multiple affairs with subordinates.

In March, a jury decided that Smiley, who has a net worth of about $10million, owed his former employer the money after he first sued them, contending that racial bias contributed to his dismissal and he was wrongly terminated without proof.   

Smiley was initially ordered to pay $1.5million but after the three-day trial in March, PBS argued that it should be entitled to additional damages under the morals clause, according to Variety. 

On August 5, judge Yvonne Williams awarded PBS $2.6million - $1million more than the network asked for. 

The new order includes $1.9million in liquidated damages, which is the sum Smiley's company, TS Media, received from PBS for the show's last two seasons.  

$702,898 was awarded to PBS that corporate underwriters had paid to Smiley’s company for the two seasons, according to Variety.

Smiley, who was fired following allegations of workplace sexual misconduct in 2017, acknowledged having romantic relationships with colleagues over his career, but says they were consensual.  

He first sued PBS in DC Superior Court. The network counter-sued, arguing in part that Smiley owed the network for a season that did not air.  

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Smiley (right, in 2016) was initially ordered to pay $1.5million but after the three-day trial in March, PBS argued that it should be entitled to additional damages under the morals clause

At issue was the network's 'morals' clause, which bars romantic relationships in the office and also does not allow employees to act in a way that would impact the employee or network in a negative way.

Hollywood will often add clauses to celebrity contracts banning them from behavior that would injure reputations, but they are rarely tested. 

Jurors heard testimony from six female employees who described misconduct claims. Smiley denied the allegations. 

Smiley countered, suggesting PBS leaked stories and pointed to the departure of his fellow talk-show host Charlie Rose, who was fired after three former employees accused him of sexual misconduct.

During Smiley's trial, one woman testified that he made numerous sexual advances. 

She said she refused his advances, but when she did he told her: 'I’m tired of you telling me no. I’m tired of you rejecting me,' according to her testimony. 'I’m going to show you what happens to people when they reject me.'

According to Variety, that woman ended up leaving her job and was paid $325,000 to resolve the sexual harassment complaint.

Another woman said during trial that she had a consensual relationship with Smiley. 

'I felt like my job was in jeopardy and that if I didn’t do what he wanted sexually, I would lose my job,' the woman testified.

She was later fired, and testified that she believed it was because co-workers found out about the relationship. 

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Smiley (right, while interviewing Killer Mike) was on air with PBS for more than a decade and broadcast to more than 200 stations nationwide. Smiley was the only minority to have served as the solo host in the history of the network, according to his lawsuit

Tavis Smiley blasts PBS over sexual misconduct investigation

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The jury deliberated for about a day before reaching a verdict in the civil case. 

PBS said in a statement the network was pleased with the jury's decision.

'PBS expects our producing partners to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect,' the network said. 

'It was important for us to ensure that the courageous women who came forward were able to share their stories and that we continue to uphold the values and standards of our organization.'

Smiley's attorneys didn't immediately return messages seeking comment. 

Smiley was on air with PBS for more than a decade and broadcast to more than 200 stations nationwide. 

Smiley was the only minority to have served as the solo host in the history of the network, according to his lawsuit. 

He was fired amid the wave of #MeToo reports of sexual misconduct in the workplace by powerful figures in movies, media and politics that began with allegations against Harvey Weinstein.  

Weinstein has been convicted in New York City of rape and sexual assault against two women and will be sentenced next week.