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Malcom Maddox anchored WXYZ's morning news Friday after E.W. Scripps Company, the station's parent company, investigated alleged sexual harassment. It found no basis for additional action against Maddox, who had been on a 16-day leave.
"In 2015, the company determined that Maddox had engaged in inappropriate communications with coworkers that did not conform to company policy," WXYZ said in a posting Friday. "At that time, Maddox received corrective action, including a two-week unpaid suspension, consistent with company procedures."
The station also said it found nothing to substantiate allegations by Rev. W.J. Rideout that anchor Stephen Clark acted inappropriately and that general manager Mike Murri hid wrongdoing by Clark or Maddox.
Rideout caused a stir when he held a press conference recently and accused Maddox of sexual harassment in the work place and offered some specifics involving a co-worker. Rideout also mentioned that Stephen Clark and Detroit Free Press Editorial Editor Stephen Henderson were guilty of sexual harassment, but offered no specifics.
The Free Press last Froiday fired Henderson, who calls the termination unwarranted. He is considering legal action against the paper and still hosts a one-hour weekday public affairs show on WDET, a National Public Radio affiliate.
WXYZ's website posting concludes:
Scripps takes these kinds of allegations very seriously and believes everyone should be able to work in an environment where they are treated with respect and dignity. Because of these findings, Malcom Maddox is returning to anchor the morning news today.
Maddox made a statement Friday morning on air:
"I am far from perfect. I have made mistakes in my personal as well as professional life.”
