Matt Lauer fired from 'Today': New reports detail what allegedly led to his ousting

As the fallout continues following Matt Lauer's firing from NBC News, insiders at the network are coming forward with more details about what led to Lauer's termination and the speculation running rampant inside 30 Rock.

Before a NBC staffer filed an official complaint on Monday, executives at NBC had reportedly been hearing rumors about stories being reported for Variety and New York Times and asked Lauer "if there was anything that he thought we should know or could fit into this category, and he adamantly denied that there was," Vanity Fair's Sarah Ellison reports.

SEE ALSO: Matt Lauer apologizes, says he's 'soul searching' after NBC's 'Today' show firing

The outlet cites "a person familiar with [the former staffer's] complaint" who alleges that she didn't use the words "rape" or "assault" in her official complaint to NBC's HR department.

That being said, Page Six reports that the woman's complaint did contain evidence in the form of lewd messages and photos that Lauer allegedly sent her after first approaching her during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The photos in question "showed incontrovertible proof of inappropriate sexual behavior on his part."

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"There's at least one picture [sent to her by Matt] which was a major part of the evidence, which is why the firing came so quickly," a source told Page Six. "My understanding was it was so damning that it was unquestionable whether or not he should be fired."

The outlet also reports that NBC News Chairman Andy Lack, who made the initial announcement about Lauer's firing on Wednesday morning, told staffers in a meeting that Lauer's relationship with the former intern "continued after they returned to New York."

According to a Vanity Fair source, NBC insiders are allegedly speculating that new addition to the "Today" team, Megyn Kelly, had something to do with the woman suddenly coming forward with her story.

"There's a lot of speculation that Megyn Kelly was directly involved in getting women to come forward," a source told Vanity Fair. "Even if she wasn't going to replace [Lauer], he was going to have a shiv in her back any day. You could already see reports of him saying that [hiring Kelly] was a mistake."

Indeed, Kelly's transition onto the "Today" team has been anything but smooth, with tumbling ratings and controversial segments dogging the debut of "Megyn Kelly Today" all fall. Later on Wednesday, Kelly said she "had heard rumors about Matt, but that's all," which was interpreted by many as indicating she was aware of his behavior.

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And, as countless NBC sources have told outlets since Lauer's bombshell firing from "Today," she wasn't the only one who "had heard" about his alleged affairs and harassment.

"I don't know what everyone is so surprised by," a source told Vanity Fair. "This has been going on for months and months and everybody knew it and it was just going to be which girl came forward, and who reported it first."

SEE ALSO: Matt Lauer fired: A look back at his past scandals

In the day since Lauer's firing was initially announced, at least two other women have come forward with claims against Lauer. The New York Times reported on Wednesday evening that one of the additional accusers alleged that the ousted "Today" anchor once summoned her to his office to have sex, which left her feeling "helpless because she didn't want to lose her job." Variety's explosive report on Wednesday, which cited multiple other women with allegations against Lauer, reported that he had a button installed under his desk that allowed him to lock his office door without getting up.

Reports of Lauer's infidelity and rumors of affairs with NBC staffers and bookers have followed him for years, and Vanity Fair reports that Lauer was The National Enquirer's "No. 1 target," which forced him to be incredibly cautious.

"The Enquirer was suspected to have a crew on him, and he couldn't do anything," a source told Vanity Fair. "So I think the only place he could really operate was in his office and then when he was on the road. And there was a lot of him bringing attractive young girls into his office for counseling and where he would talk to them about their career."

Who could replace Matt Lauer?

On Thursday morning, Lauer broke his day-long silence on his firing and the allegations against him through a statement read on the "Today" show.

"There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions," Lauer said. "To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry."

"There is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed," he continued. "Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws."

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