Les Moonves gave up $22M after being ousted for sexual misconduct

CBS’ disgraced former boss Les Moonves gave up $22 million in compensation last year after being ousted over sexual misconduct allegations, the company said Friday.

Moonves, who was one of the highest-paid chief executives in show business, made $47.1 million last year, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

But the former chairman and CEO also forfeited $34.5 million in stock awards and another $8 million in stock benefits, bringing his payday to just $12.5 million.

That’s a paltry sum compared with the $69 million he earned in 2017 and 2016.

Moonves resigned in September after The New Yorker magazine published two separate reports in which 12 women alleged that the media mogul sexually harassed, intimidated or assaulted them. The exec was denied a severance package of $120 million following an independent investigation into his conduct.

In December, the CBS board concluded that Moonves should be “fired for cause.” The exec, who has maintained his innocence, is pursuing arbitration.

Since his departure, the CBS board has been searching for a permanent CEO. One of the candidates is Moonves’ former number two, Joe Ianniello, who is filling in as interim CEO.

According to the filing, Ianniello’s total compensation hit $27.4 million in 2018, up from $22.1 million in 2017, when he was chief operating officer.

In addition to searching for a new CEO, the CBS board — which is largely made up of new members since Moonves resigned — is mulling strategic options, including a merger with sister company Viacom.

Both companies are controlled by the Sumner Redstone family through National Amusements Inc.