New Yorker Ousts Ryan Lizza, Star Reporter, For Sex Misconduct

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The New Yorker magazine announced on Monday that it has severed ties with reporter Ryan Lizza for "improper sexual conduct."

"The New Yorker recently learned that Ryan Lizza engaged in what we believe was improper sexual conduct. We have reviewed the matter and, as a result, have severed ties with Lizza. Due to a request for privacy, we are not commenting further," The New Yorker said in a statement.

In a statement, Lizza said he was "dismayed" by the decision and characterized a relationship he had with a woman as "respectful."

"I am dismayed that The New Yorker has decided to characterize a respectful relationship with a woman I dated as somehow inappropriate. The New Yorker was unable to cite any company policy that was violated. I am sorry to my friends, workplace colleagues, and loved ones for any embarrassment this episode may cause," Lizza wrote.

An attorney for the woman who who says Lizza mistreated her, however, denied that they had a "respectful relationship."

"Our client reported Mr. Lizza's actions to ensure that he would be held accountable and in the hope that by coming forward she would help other potential victims," said Widgor LLP in a statement to the Washington Post.

Cable news network CNN, where Lizza served as a political analyst, said in a statement Monday that it is suspending Lizza following The New Yorkers decision. The network added they are looking into the matter.

Lizza made headlines earlier this year when he wrote a story about a profanity-laced tirade by former Trump Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.

Scaramucci called Lizza soon after he was tapped for the position and unloaded on several members of the Trump White House, including then Chief of Staff Reince Preibus.

"Reince is a f---ing paranoid schizophrenic, a paranoiac," Scaramucci told Preibus.

Photo credit: Chitose Suzuki/Associated Press