NBC to launch internal investigation into Brian Williams

NEW YORK, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- NBC is launching an internal investigation into Brian Williams after the anchor admitted he lied about being in a U.S. military helicopter that drew fire in 2003 in Iraq.

Williams recanted the story on air Wednesday after viewers said he lied when he said he was on a helicopter when it was hit by an RPG. He was actually on a helicopter behind the one that was attacked.

NBC News President Deborah Turness sent a memo to staff Friday afternoon announcing the investigation.

"As you would expect, we have a team dedicated to gathering the facts to help us make sense of all that has transpired," she wrote. "We're working on what the best next steps are -- and when we have something to communicate we will of course share it with you.

"This has been a difficult few days for all of us at NBC News," she wrote. "Yesterday, Brian and I spoke to the Nightly News team. And this morning at the Editorial Exchange, we both addressed the wider group. Brian apologized once again, and specifically expressed how sorry he is for the impact this has had on all of you and on this proud organization."

A report from The New York Times indicated it wasn't clear who would lead the investigation, though the New York Daily News said Richard Esposito would head the team. Esposito leads NBC's investigative unit.