Comedian Louis C.K. admitted that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with several women.
His acknowledgment came as a film distributor canceled the release of his forthcoming comedy and as media companies cut ties with him in response to a New York Times report in which the women detailed his behavior toward them, reports nytimes.com.
In a statement on Friday, Louis C.K. said, "I want to address the stories told to The New York Times by five women named Abby, Rebecca, Dana, Julia who felt able to name themselves and one who did not."
He continued, "These stories are true."
According to the report, the comedians Dana Min Goodman, Julia Wolov and Rebecca Corry, the writer Abby Schachner, and a fifth woman who spoke on condition of anonymity described upsetting interactions with Louis C.K. in which he undressed and masturbated in front of them, asked if he could masturbate in front of them, or could be heard masturbating during a telephone call.
Louis C.K. said in his statement that he told himself "what I did was O.K." because he asked the women first. But, he continued that he learned "too late" that "when you have power over another person," such a request "isn't a question. It's a predicament for them."
"The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly," he added.
Louis C.K. remained one of the most popular and influential performers in comedy as he has won multiple Emmy Awards for his stand-up specials.