Malcom Maddox returns to WXYZ after sexual harassment claims

Malcom Maddox returned to the anchor chair for WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) Friday morning, three weeks after accusations of inappropriate behavior made by a Detroit pastor took him off the air.

WXYZ announced it plans to take no action against Maddox and another employee mentioned in a Dec. 6 news conference held by the Rev. W.J. Rideout III, pastor of Our God's People Church in Detroit.

The station’s parent company, E.W. Scripps Company, reached this conclusion after conducting an investigation into allegations against Maddox, anchor Stephen Clark and General Manager Mike Murri, whom Rideout accused of brushing off inappropriate behavior.

In 2015, Scripps found that Maddox’s behavior had violated the company’s policies, and he was suspended at the time.

The company said there is no evidence to back Rideout’s allegations that Clark engaged in inappropriate behavior, or the minister's claim that Murri attempted to cover up such behavior. Clark had previously announced that he was retiring from the station in February.

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After the news conference, WXYZ had put Maddox on administrative leave pending the investigation.

"Scripps takes these kinds of allegations very seriously and believes everyone should be able to work in an environment where they are treated with respect and dignity. Because of these findings, Malcom Maddox is returning to anchor the morning news today," the station said in a statement posted on its website.

During Rideout’s news conference, he also mentioned Stephen Henderson, who was the managing director of opinion and commentary at the Detroit Free Press. The Free Press launched an investigation and subsequently uncovered examples of inappropriate behavior by Henderson with female colleagues dating back several years. Henderson was terminated by the Free Press on Dec. 15.