The NBC investigator who has been fact-checking the network’s star anchor Brian Williams provided a “progress report” to network executives on Monday night.
The work is not done yet, but journalist Richard Esposito discussed a timetable with the executives. One NBC source said the process will be finished “sooner rather than later.”
Esposito’s meeting with the NBC brass was confirmed by three sources with knowledge of the situation.
The network is balancing thoroughness with a need for speed as it seeks to contain a crisis enveloping NBC.
Williams has admitted to exaggerating his experience on an Iraq War mission in 2003. His apology, televised on his “NBC Nightly News” last Wednesday, was widely perceived as inadequate. Since then, some of his other past reports have come under scrutiny. He has taken a leave of absence as the network reports what’s right and what’s wrong.
The man leading that effort is Esposito, the network’s senior executive producer in charge of the investigative unit.
At least one NBC correspondent is also involved: Kate Snow, a national correspondent who joined NBC from ABC in 2010. When Williams had a prime time newsmagazine called “Rock Center,” Snow was dedicated to it.
Snow has been conducting interviews as part of the investigative process, according to two NBC sources.
None of her interviews have been on-camera, but interviews by others in the investigation have been. That suggests the network may produce a television segment about the Williams controversy.
Representatives for the network declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Williams remains on the bench. His usual substitute, Lester Holt, anchored the “Nightly News” on Monday.
In announcing his leave of absence on Saturday, Williams said he’d be away for “several days” but would return.
There is widespread speculation, even inside NBC, that he won’t be able to return.
The final decision will rest with NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke and his boss, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts.
Very much involved in the conversations is David Cohen, one of Roberts’ most trusted lieutenants at Comcast.
Cohen is an executive vice president who oversees public relations, lobbying, legal affairs and other issues for the company. He has been busy with Comcast’s pending merger with Time Warner Cable. But the current crisis has preoccupied him in recent days, one of the sources said.
It is unclear how involved Williams himself has been in the deliberations over if and when he’ll return to “Nightly News.”
Williams does not have a television agent. But high-profile attorney Robert Barnett has represented him for a number of years.
Barnett, who is based in Washington and is known for his work with presidents, other politicians and media stars, was in New York on Monday and was seen at 30 Rockefeller Center, the headquarters of NBC News.