Dozens of former "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" employees accuse producers of rampant sexual misconduct - CBS News

Ellen DeGeneres has responded to allegations of racism and toxicity at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," first reported by BuzzFeed News.

Just hours after DeGeneres responded to the allegations, a second BuzzFeed News article, alleging allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace, was published. .

In an article published on July 16, BuzzFeed News spoke to one current and 10 former employees of the show, who claimed they faced "racism, fear, and intimidation," in the workplace. .

Just hours after DeGeneres responded to BuzzFeed News' first report, a second was published.

Executive producers Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, and Andy Lassner responded to the allegations in the first report with a joint statement to BuzzFeed, saying they take the stories of the employees "very seriously."

In a statement to CBS News, executive producer Kevin Leman said the BuzzFeed News article is "filled with false claims." He said he "categorically" denies "any kind of sexual impropriety." He said that part of his job as head writer is to come up with jokes, and he is "horrified" that some of his attempts to write jokes may have caused offense. 

In the second BuzzFeed report, specific allegations were made against Glavin, executive producer Kevin Leman and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman. 

Five former employees said Glavin touched them in a way that made them uncomfortable and dozens of other former employees also said he "had a reputation for being handsy with women," BuzzFeed News reports

BuzzFeed News also reports that five former employees said Glavin had a button at his desk that remotely shut his office door, which he used "as an intimidation tactic" during reprimands.