Warner Bros. CEO Steps Down Amid Sexual Impropriety Allegations

LOS ANGELES -- Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara has resigned, stepping down amid an investigation into allegations that he used his influence at the studio to get work for a young actress he was involved with sexually.

WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement that it was in the studio's best interest that Tsujihara step down.

``Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company's leadership expectations and could impact the company's ability to execute going forward," Stankey said, adding that WarnerMedia "continues to work with a third-party law firm to complete its investigation with Mr. Tsujihara's cooperation.''

The resignation comes after the Hollywood Reporter published a story earlier this month that revealed alleged text messages between Tsujihara and British actress Charlotte Kirk going back to 2013. Kirk appeared in the 2016 Warner Bros. film ``How to Be Single'' and 2018's ``Ocean's 8.''

Tsujihara sent a memo to Warner staff members Monday stating that after reflecting ``on how the attention on my past actions might impact the company's future,'' he had decided to step down.

``(I)t has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company's continued success," the statement continued. "The hard work of everyone within our organization is truly admirable, and I won't let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing.''

A successor for Tsujihara has not been named, but an interim leadership team is expected to be announced Tuesday.

City News Service contributed to this report.