Tom Brokaw Vehemently Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegations In SCATHING Email About Accuser Linda Vester!

Tom Brokaw is defending his name.

As you surely know, the celebrated journalist has recently been accused of sexual misconduct by a former NBC News colleague Linda Vester. For an in depth interview with Variety, the 52-year-old industry vet alleged that the former NBC Nightly News anchor tried to kiss her on two separate occasions, groped her in an NBC conference room, and showed up to her hotel room uninvited.

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Since these are particularly troubling claims, especially in the current Me Too/Time's Up era, the 78-year-old legend has since penned a scathing letter rebutting Vester's allegations. The missive, which was sent to a handful of NBC News peers and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, started off with:

"It is 4:00 am on the first day of my new life as an accused predator in the universe of American journalism. I was ambushed and then perp walked across the pages of The Washington Post and Variety as an avatar of male misogyny, taken to the guillotine and stripped of any honor and achievement I had earned in more than a half century of journalism and citizenship.

I am angry, hurt and unmoored from what I thought would be the final passage of my life and career, a mix of written and broadcast journalism, philanthropy and participation in environmental and social causes that have always given extra meaning to my life."

And this is just the opening paragraph! The longtime newsman continued:

"Instead I am facing a long list of grievances from a former colleague who left NBC News angry that she had failed in her pursuit of stardom. She has unleashed a torrent of unsubstantiated criticism and attacks on me more than twenty years after I opened the door for her and a new job at Fox news."

Tom went on to BLAST The Washington Post and Variety for giving Linda "a free hand to try to destroy all that [he's] achieved with [his] family, [his] NBC career, [his] writing and [his] citizenship." Brokaw also defended that his family "are stunned and supportive" of him amid this scandal and his "NBC colleagues are bewildered by the claims."

Regarding the specifics of Linda's accusation, Tom acknowledged that he did meet with Vester on a couple occasions, but was only ever professional during the meet-ups. In regards to the Linda he knew, he called her "an eager beginner," "filled with office gossip," and "coy."

Related: Matt Lauer DENIES Being Aggressive & Abusive

On their informal meeting at a New York hotel, Tom relayed:

"I should not have gone but I emphatically did not verbally and physically attack her and suggest an affair in language right out of pulp fiction."

He further added that he only ever remembers kissing Linda goodbye on the cheek.

Per Tom, Linda vocalized being distressed about an affair rumor as she was very Catholic. Still, at another time, the two meet up to discuss career opportunities. In fact, Brokaw says he recommended her to Roger Ailes for Fox after she found limited success at NBC. He snapped:

"I am not a perfect person. I've made mistakes, personally and professionally. But as I write this at dawn on the morning after a drive by [sic] shooting by Vester, the Washington Post and Variety, I am stunned by the free ride given a woman with a grudge against NBC News, no distinctive credentials or issue passions while at FOX."

Tom went on to accuse Linda of jumping on the Me Too bandwagon for attention, as she could've addressed whatever grievances she had with him directly, rather than be "a character assassin." Tom concluded his note:

"I deeply resent the pain and anger she inflicted on my wife, daughters and granddaughters – all women of considerable success and passion about women's rights which they personify in their daily lives and professions. We'll go on as a family that pursues social justice in medical emergency rooms, corporate offices, social therapy, African women's empowerment and journalism. And no one woman's assault can take that away.

I am proud of who I am as a husband, father, grandfather, journalist and citizen. Vester, the Washington Post and Variety cannot diminish that. But in this one woman piece of sensational claims they are trying."

Oof. Clearly, Tom is shaken up — but is that because he's innocent or guilty??

Be sure to let us know YOUR thoughts in the comments (below)!

[Image via WENN.]

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