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PBS suspends host Tavis Smiley over allegations of sexual misconduct

Smiley grew up in Indiana, graduated from IU
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INDIANAPOLIS -- PBS announced Wednesday it has suspended talk show host Tavis Smiley over “multiple, credible” allegations of sexual misconduct.

The story was first reported by Variety. PBS posted its own story confirming the suspension several hours later.

According to PBS, the “troubling allegations” against Smiley – who has hosted “Tavis Smiley” on PBS since 2004 – were investigated by an unnamed outside law firm.

“This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to today’s decision,” a PBS spokeswoman said in the company’s report.

Smiley, a prominent personality and author who has hosted shows for PBS, BET and PRI, grew up in Indiana and often talks about his Hoosier ties.

His family moved to Bunker Hill, Indiana, when he was young when his stepfather was transferred to Grissom Air Force Base in Peru, Indiana. He graduated from Maconaquah High School.

Smiley attended Indiana University in the 1980s, but left before completing his degree. He eventually received a bachelor’s degree from IU in public affairs in 2003.

In 2009, IU named the atrium of its School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) in honor of Smiley. Smiley also donated $50,000 to the school that year to establish the Tavis Smiley Scholarship program.

As of Wednesday evening, Smiley had not issued a formal response to his suspension by PBS.

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