According to newly released legal documents from the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, former CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves allegedly tried to influence former LAPD captain Corey Palka, who had pledged allegiance to Moonves.
Palka was leaking confidential information about a criminal investigation in which Moonves was accused of sexually assaulting a former employee.
The Ethics Commission found that Moonves violated the city’s ethics code by “inducing” a city official to misuse his position to create a private advantage for Moonves. Moonves agreed to pay an $11,250 fine for this violation.
Les Moonves (Credits: The New York Times)
The documents reveal that Palka, while serving as commanding officer of the Hollywood Division in 2017, provided Moonves with information about the LAPD investigation and the former employee who made the accusation. Palka allegedly met with Moonves in November 2017 to share confidential information about the investigation.
Moonves and Palka knew each other from Palka’s previous role as Moonves’ security guard at the Grammy Awards. Moonves allegedly texted Palka in December 2017 to discuss the case further.
The investigation into Palka’s actions began in November 2022, after allegations surfaced that he had leaked information to Moonves. LAPD announced an internal investigation into the matter to determine if any other LAPD officers were involved.
Moonves has denied the sexual assault accusation made by the former employee, Phyllis Gottlieb, who said she was assaulted by Moonves in 1986. The LAPD determined that no criminal charges could be filed due to the statute of limitations.
In 2018, Moonves resigned from CBS after multiple women accused him of sexual assault. He has denied all allegations. The New York Attorney General’s Office also found that Moonves’ effort to interfere with the LAPD investigation violated insider trading laws. Moonves agreed to pay a $30.5 million fine as a result.
Palka, who has retired from the LAPD, expressed regret to Moonves after his resignation, stating, “I’m deeply sorry this happened. I will always stand with, by and pledge my allegiance to you.”
