New Yorker's Jeffrey Toobin allegedly masturbates on Zoom call; suspended
What's the story
The New Yorker magazine suspended its long-time contributor and chief legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, after he allegedly exposed himself on a Zoom call.
Earlier this month, Toobin was allegedly caught masturbating on a Zoom call, a news report had said.
Toobin, who has worked for the New Yorker for over 25 years, justified his actions saying that he believed he was off-camera.
Details
Toobin suspended; investigation underway, says New Yorker
A spokesperson to the New Yorker said that Toobin had been "suspended while we investigate the matter."
Editor David Remnick also said in an email to staffers, "Please be assured that we take such matters seriously and that we are looking into it."
CNN said that Toobin "has asked for some time off while he deals with a personal issue, which we have granted."
Quote
I believed I wasn't visible on Zoom: Toobin
In a statement to Motherboard on Monday, Toobin said, "I made an embarrassingly stupid mistake, believing I was off-camera. I apologize to my wife, family, friends, and co-workers."
He added, "I believed I was not visible on Zoom. I thought no one on the Zoom call could see me. I thought I had muted the Zoom video."
Report
Two people who attended call said they saw Toobin masturbating
Earlier, VICE had reported that Toobin allegedly masturbated on a Zoom call, quoting two people who had attended the call.
The two persons—who spoke on the condition of anonymity—said that the incident occurred during an election simulation when there was a strategy session.
During a break, Toobin appeared to be on another call, the sources said, adding that they saw him touching his penis.
Information
After exposing himself, Toobin left chat, said sources
The sources told the publication that Toobin then left the call. He re-joined a few moments later, seemingly unaware that his colleagues had been able to see him expose himself and the election simulation continued, the sources added.