Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz, two longtime WNYC radio hosts, are the latest prominent media men to face accusations of impropriety at the workplace.
WNYC’s owner, New York Public Radio, announced the suspensions of Lopate and Schwartz on Wednesday, though the organization kept quiet about the exact details of the accusations against the two men. New York Public Radio CEO Laura Walker did say that she takes the allegations of inappropriate conduct seriously and that the company aims to provide a “respectful, equitable, inclusive and harassment-free workplace for everyone.”
Lopate and Schwartz have been placed on leave while investigations into the allegations against the men get underway. The move also came just a few days after several women accused retired WNYC host John Hockenberry of sexual harassment.
Lopate, who has been with WNYC for more than 30 years, hosts a daily program in which he interviews prominent people from the media and entertainment industry. He told The New York Times that he is “baffled” and “really quite shocked and upset” by his suspension. “I am sure any honest investigation will completely clear me,” he told The Times. “That’s the only thing I’m concerned about — the damage to my reputation.”
Schwartz joined WNYC in 1999 and he hosts the music program The Jonathan Channel several days a week.