Tom Brokaw withdraws from event after sexual harassment allegations

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — A Connecticut university says former news anchor Tom Brokaw has withdrawn as commencement speaker after facing allegations of sexual harassment. The Hartford Courant reports Sacred Heart University announced the cancellation Friday.

University president John Petillo says Brokaw didn’t want to distract from students and families, “given the events in the news.”

Linda Vester, who worked as a war correspondent for NBC News, told Variety and The Washington Post that Brokaw groped her and tried to forcibly kiss her in the 1990s.

Another woman, who was not identified, made similar claims about Brokaw to the Post.

The 78-year-old Brokaw has denied the allegations.

Brokaw will be replaced at the May 13 graduation by Linda McMahon, who serves on President Trump’s Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration.

McMahon is also a university donor and previously served on the Catholic school’s board of trustees.