American Apparel CEO Dov Charney and CNBC reporter Margaret Brennan got into it Wednesday, with Charney accusing Brennan of asking “dirty” questions on the air about his pending sexual harrassment lawsuit.
Brennan wrote, “Personally, I don’t feel that I’d be doing my job as a journalist if I didn’t ask a CEO whether ongoing litigation against him will affect the business or cost shareholders money. American Apparel’s CEO Dov Charney thought otherwise though (trades on the AMEX under the ticker APP).
“First he tried cancelling the interview 10 minutes beforehand because I wouldn’t promise not to ask him about his sexual harassment lawsuit. After I said that I’m going on air to talk about his company regardless of whether he joins me or not–he finally agreed to join us live.
“Afterward he used a few of his now infamous four letters while screaming at my producer and myself following the interview. He yelled with pointed finger in my face (and I’m quoting) ‘I know dirty and I know clean and that was dirty!'”
Judge for yourself. The transcript is available here.Â
