“NCIS: New Orleans” executive producer Adam Targum has been fired following an HR complaint and investigation, an individual with knowledge of the situation tells TheWrap.
According to Vulture, the complaint was made earlier this month, with Targum being fired Jan. 25. Sources told Vulture that the former EP — who was second in command for showrunner Christopher Silber — was known for bullying on set, and the HR department was informed that several members of the writing staff had problems with Targum.
CBS declined TheWrap’s request for comment on the nature of the complaint and who made it.
Targum’s exit from the show follows that of former “NCIS: New Orleans” showrunner Brad Kern who exited last October after a third misconduct investigation, and an overall investigation into the corporate culture at CBS after the ousting of former chief Les Moonves over sexual misconduct accusations.
“We have ended Brad Kern’s role as consulting producer on ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ and his overall deal with the studio,” a representative for the studio said in a statement at the time of Kern’s exit.
Kern had twice previously been investigated internally at the studio, but for the third investigation, spurred by further reports of harassment and verbally abusive behavior toward women, CBS brought in outside counsel.
The new investigation came shortly after CBS Studios signed a new two-year deal with the producer and chose to keep him on board as a consulting producer on the procedural despite replacing him as showrunner.
Last summer, CBS Entertainment boss Kelly Kahl said he had confidence the investigation would “get to the truth” of the matter.
“CBS Studios investigated Brad Kern in 2016,” Kahl said at the time. “Action was taken after that investigation and, you know, there have been no complaints since. I’m troubled and frustrated that reports continue to come out in the press.”