The 'Modern Family' actor is charged for lewd conducts after arrested in a Los Angeles XXX theater earlier this week.
- Jul 22, 2012
AceShowbiz - PBS finally speak on the recent termination of actor Fred Willard who was arrested at an adult movie theater earlier this week. "Our concern was his circumstances would actually become a distraction from the series," said PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger.
Willard was replaced by Mark Walberg in the host position of the network's "Market Warriors" soon after his arrest for suspicion of lewd conducts. Willard maintained his innocence, saying he and the police just had "a difference of opinion" as to what happened.
Kreger said during TCA summer press release on Saturday, July 21, "We're taping now. That's why we had to make a quick decision. At the end of the week when [Willard's arrest] became known, we realized that we had to move fast." The firing decision came less than 24 hours after Willard's arrest.
Meanwhile, Willard and his lawyer Paul Takakjian, are planning to fight off the charges. "With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law. We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter," the lawyer said in a statement.
