Fired "Today" co-host Matt Lauer's purchase of a sprawling New Zealand ranch is reportedly under scrutiny because of requirement that foreign buyers be of "good character."
Lauer, fired amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment, bought a 27,000-acre lakeside farm near the resort town of Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island for $9 million earlier this year, Bloomberg reported.
Under New Zealand law, foreign buyers of sensitive land have to meet a number of conditions to get consent — including they "continue to be of good character," a condition listed in the February notice of a decision in Lauder's case.
The Overseas Investment Office — which approves sales of land to foreigners — "is aware that allegations have been made in relation to Matt Lauer and that he is not longer working for NBC News," official Lisa Barrett said in a statement, Bloomberg reported.
"We are discussing this with his representative and are seeking further information."
The report comes as the New York Post's Page Six revealed Lauer's lawyers are working on a $30 million settlement from NBC; the shamed co-host has a year and a half on his $20 million a year contract.
But one unnamed source told the Post that Lauer's contract has a moral clause "that says if he brings the company into disrepute . . . NBC can terminate his employment immediately without pay, and they do not have to pay out his contract."
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