NBC News anchor Brian Williams was suspended for six months on Tuesday following his scandal over lying about being in a helicopter that was attacked in Iraq back in 2003.

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News broke late Tuesday that Williams was suspended for six months from the NBC news desk, with Lester Holt filling in for him. This was following Williams' decision to leave for several days after the scandal broke out, which NBC chiefs felt was not enough time.

NBC news division president Deborah Turness sent out a note to all NBC staff that Williams was being suspended.

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"The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately," she wrote. "While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian's position. In addition, we have concerns about comments that occurred outside NBC News while Brian was talking about his experiences in the field."

Williams had recalled the 2003 event in which he claimed to have been in a helicopter that was gunned down in Iraq. As it turns out, he was actually in another helicopter that was part of a different mission entirely and was half and hour behind the chopper that was attacked.

Adding on this, Steve Burke, NBC Universal CEO, said that he deserves a second chance, though his actions are ultimately inexcusable.

"By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News," he said. "His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate," adding, "He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust."

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Brian williams, Nbc