Jeffrey Tambor Fires Back At Jill Soloway After Transparent Firing

Although Jeffrey Tambor was officially fired from Amazon's Transparent after an internal sexual harassment investigation this Thursday, he is now blaming his pink slip on the series showrunner Jill Soloway.

"I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon's handling of these false accusations against me," the actor who played the shows transgender parent, Maura, told Deadline. "I am even more disappointed in Jill Soloway's unfair characterization of me as someone who would ever cause harm to any of my fellow cast mates."

Tambor has been accused of making lude comments to his assistant Van Barnes and pressing his penis against transgender co-star Trace Lysette, while telling her, "My God, Trace. I want to attack you sexually." Fellow transgender actress Alexandra Billings overheard the remarks and corrobrated Lysette's account that, ""He came in close, put his bare feet on top of mine so I could not move, leaned his body against me, and began quick, discreet thrust back and forth against my body. I felt his penis on my hip through his thin pajamas."

Soloway, who identifies as genderqueer, responded to Tambor's new remarks by showing their support for Lysette and Barnes: "I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on Transparent is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires."

Tambor had a different attitude towards what is necessary in culture, particularly on set. Today he criticised the political atmosphere for the investigation finding him guilty of sexual harassement.

"In our four-year history of working together on this incredible show, these accusations have NEVER been revealed or discussed directly with me or anyone at Amazon," Tambor said. "Therefore, I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set."

Tambor also claimed that his depature from the show would hurt its future: "As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself," he fired back, "I also deeply regret that this ground-breaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak."

Soloway seems to also believe the allegations have harmed Transparent's relationship with its trans viewers.

"We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community," they stated, "We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family."