Ryan Lizza’s name was included in the “Shitty Media Men” list, which circulated in response to the Harvey Weinstein allegations. He’s the latest high-profile media figure to lose his job following allegations of sexual misconduct. | POLITICO Playbook New Yorker fires Ryan Lizza over alleged 'improper sexual conduct'

The New Yorker magazine announced Monday it had fired Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza following an allegation of sexual misconduct.

“The New Yorker recently learned that Ryan Lizza engaged in what we believe was improper sexual conduct,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We have reviewed the matter and, as a result, have severed ties with Lizza. Due to a request for privacy, we are not commenting further.”


In a statement, Lizza said the magazine made “a terrible mistake” and rejected its characterization of his relationship.

"I am dismayed that The New Yorker has decided to characterize a respectful relationship with a woman I dated as somehow inappropriate,” he said. “The New Yorker was unable to cite any company policy that was violated. I am sorry to my friends, workplace colleagues, and loved ones for any embarrassment this episode may cause. I love The New Yorker, my home for the last decade, and I have the highest regard for the people who work there. But this decision, which was made hastily and without a full investigation of the relevant facts, was a terrible mistake."

Douglas Wigdor, an attorney representing the unnamed woman who accused Lizza of misconduct, disputed that characterization.

“Although she desires to remain confidential and requests that her privacy be respected, in no way did Mr. Lizza’s misconduct constitute a ‘respectful relationship’ as he has now tried to characterize it,” read a statement from Wigdor, whose firm is perhaps best known for representing clients alleging sexual harassment and racial discrimination at Fox News. “Our client reported Mr. Lizza’s actions to ensure that he would be held accountable and in the hope that by coming forward she would help other potential victims.”

Lizza also is an adjunct lecturer at Georgetown University, where he taught this past fall. A university spokesperson said that classes had concluded for the fall semester and that Lizza was not previously scheduled to teach in the spring.

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Lizza joined The New Yorker a decade ago and was the magazine’s most high-profile writer in Washington. He’s known for deep profiles of political power players, and it was his expletive-filled piece on Anthony Scaramucci that led to the former Trump communications director’s abrupt exit from the White House. He previously worked for nearly a decade at The New Republic and has written for GQ, New York magazine and The New York Times. He’s also a CNN contributor. CNN said Lizza would not appear "while we look into this matter."

Lizza’s name was included in the “Shitty Media Men” list, which circulated in response to the Harvey Weinstein allegations. He’s the latest high-profile media figure to lose his job because of allegations of sexual misconduct, following others such as political journalist Mark Halperin, former New Republic literary editor Leon Wieseltier and top NPR editor Michael Oreskes.

Jason Schwartz contributed to this report.