Warner Bros. Television has severed ties with “Extra” host A.J. Calloway, who was suspended from the show in February after multiple women accused the longtime TV personality of sexual assault.
The company said it decided to part ways with Calloway, 44, after investigating the claims against him, according to a statement obtained by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. The statement said it was a “mutual” decision by Warner Bros. and Calloway, but didn’t disclose when they made the call.
Warner Bros. produces “Extra,” an entertainment news show where Calloway worked for 14 years.
Author and activist Sil Lai Abrams publicly accused Calloway of sexually assaulting her in a car 2006 after meeting him for drinks, the Reporter first revealed in June 2018. After the alleged assault, Abrams reported Calloway to the police, but the case was dismissed on procedural grounds.
10 PHOTOS'Extra' host A.J. CallowaySee Gallery'Extra' host A.J. Calloway
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 02:A.J. Calloway arrives to Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl Party at the College Football Hall of Fame on February 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images,)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 01:A. J. Calloway attends “Planet Pepsi” Pre-Super Bowl LIII party, featuring Travis Scott, on February 1, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Pepsi)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 28: Television personality A. J. Calloway (L) interviews Actress/model Megan Fox pose for a picture at “Extra” on November 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08:A. J. Calloway poses backstage during the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York at Pier 94 on November 8, 2018 in New York City.(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05:(Image was captured on the LG V40 ThinQ. EDITORS NOTE: This image was processed using digital filters.) A. J. Calloway arrives on the red carpet at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 17th Annual An Enduring Vision Benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street on November 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 15: AJ Calloway attends the Levi’s Times Square Store Opening on November 15, 2018 in New York City.(Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Levis)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 01:AJ Calloway attends the 2018 Women’s Media Awards at Capitale on November 1, 2018 in New York City.(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Women’s Media Center)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: TV personality A. J. Calloway and journalist Deborah Roberts attend the 28th Annual Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame Awards at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on October 29, 2018 in New York City.(Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 05:Actor Rob Lowe (R) visits ‘Extra’ with host A.J. Calloway on September 5, 2018 in New York City.(Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: A.J. Calloway arrives to the 2018 BET Awards held at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Prince Williams/Getty Images)Up Next
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After Abrams described her assault, two other women speaking to the Daily Beast on the condition of anonymity came forward with their own allegations against Calloway in January.
Following that, the total number of women accusing Calloway of misconduct rose to six, according to Vanity Fair.
Calloway was suspended from “Extra” in February as Warner Bros. conducted an internal review of Calloway’s conduct. At that time, Calloway denied the accusations in a statement released through his attorney Lisa E. Davis.
“Mr. Calloway maintains that these unsubstantiated allegations are patently false,” Davis said. “He vehemently denies that he ever assaulted anyone and looks forward to clearing his name.”
A day before Warner Bros. announced its decision to cut ties with Calloway, Abrams criticized WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey of employing Calloway despite the allegations against him.
“After nearly twenty months, to public knowledge, he is still on your payroll,” Abrams tweeted.
Abrams also questioned why the results of Warner Bros.′ investigation into Calloway weren’t made public.
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