Garrison Keillor's was ousted after 'MULTIPLE allegations over years' but axed radio host says he's only aware of one incident
- Garrison Keillor says Minnesota Public Radio was wrong to fire him last week without fully investigating
- The president of Minnesota Public Radio has told employees the decision to cut business ties with Garrison Keillor resulted from 'multiple allegations'
- The allegations apparently covered an extended period of time
- Keillor has told how he touched a woman's bare back as he tried to console her, and that he apologized but was not aware of any other allegations against him
- Jon McTaggart held an off-the-record meeting with employees a week after Keillor's dismissal was announced
The president of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) told employees the decision to dismiss Garrison Keillor resulted from 'multiple allegations' covering an extended period of time.
However an attorney for the former 'The Prairie Home Companion' host disputed this and said the humorist wants MPR to 'set the record straight'.
MPR President Jon McTaggart held an off-the-record meeting with employees Wednesday, a week after the organization cut ties with Keillor.
Reporters from Minnesota Public Radio News did not attend because the meeting was declared off-the-record, but compiled an account from employees who were there.
Minnesota Public Radio's decision to end its association with former host Garrison Keillor resulted from 'multiple allegations' that covered an extended period of time
MPR News reports McTaggart said he alone made the decision to break with Keillor, who retired as 'Prairie Home' host last year.
Keillor says Minnesota Public Radio was wrong to fire him last week without fully investigating the allegations.
Keillor announced last week that MPR had terminated his contracts after four decades of entertaining public radio listeners with tales of small-town characters.
He said was fired over 'a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard.'
Keillor has told how he touched a woman's bare back as he tried to console her, and that he apologized. MPR has not given details of the allegations
Jon McTaggart, the president of Minnesota Public Radio told employees the decision to cut business ties with Garrison Keillor resulted from 'multiple allegations'
Keillor told the Star Tribune he touched a woman's bare back as he tried to console her, and that he apologized. MPR has not given details of the allegations.
'I meant to pat her back after she told me about her unhappiness, and her shirt was open and my hand went up it about six inches. She recoiled. I apologized,' Keillor said. 'I sent her an email of apology later, and she replied that she had forgiven me and not to think about it.
'We were friends. We continued to be friendly right up until her lawyer called.'
In response to the MPR News report, Keillor attorney Eric Nilsson issued a statement early Thursday.
'We are aware of allegations against Mr. Keillor by only one individual,' Nilsson said. 'We trust that Mr. McTaggart will set the record straight in this respect to avoid any misperceptions on that point.'
Keillor appeared to downplay the allegations amid the scandal, saying he was fired for putting his hand on a woman's bare back in an attempt to console her
Keillor said he was disappointed at the company's response to the allegations.
'I expect to deal with MPR soon to try to fix the enormous mistake they have made by not conducting a full and fair investigation,' he said.
Keillor's attorney emailed a statement at AP early Thursday stressing that they know of allegations made by 'one individual.'
'We trust that Mr. McTaggart will set the record straight in this respect to avoid any misperceptions on that point,' Eric Nilsson said in the statement.
Keillor wants a swift resolution of the matter and 'with it expects a full restoration of his reputation,' Nilsson said.
'A Prairie Home Companion' was heard by nearly 4 million listeners a week on nearly 700 public radio stations across the U.S. the year before Keillor left as host.
The show continues with Keillor's hand-picked successor, mandolinist Chris Thile.
A week ago, MPR said it had received just one formal complaint from one person, although it did say there were 'multiple allegations'
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