Ann Curry details climate of 'verbal, sexual' harassment at NBC in the wake of Matt Lauer firing

Former NBC "Today" co-anchor Ann Curry revealed that she was not surprised by allegations against former "Today" co-anchor Matt Lauer, who was fired in November for inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.

What did Curry say?

Speaking on "CBS This Morning" Wednesday, Curry discussed allegations against her former co-worker.

"I'm not surprised by the allegations," Curry said in her first public interview since news of the allegations against Lauer surfaced. "I can [also] say that I would be surprised if many women did not understand that there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed. I think it would be surprising if someone said they didn't see that. It was verbal sexual harassment."

"I'm not trying to hurt people," she added. "I know what it's like to be publicly humiliated. I never did anything wrong to be publicly humiliated, and I don't want to cause that pain to someone else."

Curry left "Today" in 2012 , a move which was said to involve Lauer, and left the network altogether a few years later in 2015.

Curry reiterated the fact that she didn't want to hurt anyone when CBS co-host Gayle King pressed her for more details. She later said that she believes that people speaking out about these types of injustices is important.

"This is about a power imbalance, where women are not valued as much as men," she explained. "I'm not talking about people being attracted to other people. I'm talking about people in a workplace who are abusing their power and women and men are suffering. And I think the fact that people are speaking out is important, and the fact that we are moving against this imbalance of power is absolutely overdue."

“I can tell you that I’m not surprised by the allegations,” @AnnCurry says on accusations against Matt Lauer, adding “I’m trying not to hurt people...but I can say, because you’re asking me a very direct question,” there was a climate of verbal sexual harassment pic.twitter.com/hWohUYLG24

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 17, 2018

What's the background on Lauer's scandal?

Lauer was fired in November almost immediately after the network received allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack said that the complaint the network received “may not have been an isolated incident” and noted that Lauer’s alleged behaviors “represented, after serious review, a clear violation” of the network’s professional standards.

In the days after Lauer’s termination, more detailed, deviant reports surfaced, including outright accusations of sexual assault.

Lauer later issued a public apology and said that there were “no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions.”

Lauer’s statement added that “repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching” and noted that the broadcaster is “committed to beginning that effort.”

NBC officially replaced Lauer with “Today” co-anchor Hoda Kotb.