New Yorker journalist fired after performing X-rated act in front of colleagues on Zoom

Toobin was a prominent journalist before exposing himself on Zoom. Photo / AP

The New Yorker has fired longtime staff writer Jeffrey Toobin after he reportedly exposed himself during a Zoom conference last month.

He had already been on suspension and is also on leave from CNN, where he is chief legal analyst.

"I was fired today by @NewYorker after 27 years as a Staff Writer. I will always love the magazine, will miss my colleagues, and will look forward to reading their work," Toobin tweeted.

In a company memo, Conde Nast Chief People Officer Stan Duncan wrote that its "investigation regarding Jeffrey Toobin is complete, and as a result, he is no longer affiliated with our company."

"I want to assure everyone that we take workplace matters seriously. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and upholds our standards of conduct," Duncan said.

Toobin was initially suspended after he exposed himself during a Zoom call with employees of the magazine and WNYC radio.

During the discussion, Toobin switched to a second call that appeared to be phone-sex, and the journalist did not realize he hadn't turned his camera off.

"I made an embarrassingly stupid mistake, believing I was off camera," Toobin said last month. "I apologise to my wife, family, friends and co-workers."

Toobin, 60, is one of the country's most prominent legal authors and commentators.

He is a former associate counsel in the Department of Justice who for the New Yorker has written about everything from the O.J. Simpson murder trial to the impeachment hearings of President Donald Trump.

He has been with CNN since 2002 and is the author of several books, most recently "True Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Investigation of Donald Trump," published in August. His 1996 book, "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson," was adapted into an FX series.