Scott Pelley became the latest "60 Minutes" veteran to be permanently canceled from CBS.
USA TODAY has learned that CBS News has fired a correspondent who worked for "60 Minutes" for more than two decades. Pelley was left without severance pay or other benefits.
The anchor's departure came after a heated meeting with staff in which Pelley accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of "killing" the news organization, according to a recording obtained by The New York Times and published on June 1.
In a termination notice obtained by USA TODAY, newly appointed "60 Minutes" executive Nick Bilton told Pelley he hoped the show could find "a way forward" after the "misconduct," but added, "You've made it clear you're not interested in that.".
Scott Pelley is pictured on the CBS Evening News on May 5, 2016, in New York City.
«"I am deeply disappointed that you rejected this offer and instead chose an ambush. Yesterday, you disrupted my first meeting with the staff to disparage me, my qualifications, and my intentions with astonishing impoliteness and contempt," Bilton Pelley wrote in a note. "Yesterday's ostentatious display of hostility—played out in front of the staff, not in a civilized, private conversation—demonstrated that you have no interest in contributing to the show's future success.".
USA TODAY has reached out to CBS for comment.
During the June 1 conversation, Pelley, a nearly 40-year veteran of CBS News, reportedly sharply criticized Bilton, according to the digital news outlet and newsletter Status, citing a leaked audio recording. The meeting was intended to introduce Bilton, a former Times technology columnist and investigative journalist who was hired to host "60 Minutes" in late May.
The 60 Minutes staff was informed of Pelley's dismissal in a memo from Bilton, who wrote, "I know how much Scott meant to many of you, and I'm not saying this lightly. I tried to speak with him directly several times over the weekend, and I tried to find common ground this afternoon. Scott chose the wrong path.".
This is a developing story.
USA TODAY's Taizhuan Murman contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: '60 Minutes' veteran anchor Scott Pelley fired after criticizing new CBS executives.