Brian Williams made his first public appearance since getting suspended from NBC Nightly News for lying about events in Iraq stemming back to 2003. He attended a gala for Mater Dei High in Middletown, N.J., which is his high school alma mater.
The high school is close to getting closed down, so the fundraiser aimed to raise $1 million in order for its doors to stay open.
"This is Mater Dei. It's been a very, very important part of my life,” he told The Two River Times in the first comments since learning about his six-month suspension.
The event took place at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands. He attended with his wife, Jane Stoddard.
"I had four great years here. I did not know it then, but it was the last degree I'd ever earn," he continued. "It's a wonderful school, and it should be open for a long time, for everybody,"
The lie Williams told about being in a helicopter that got struck down in Iraq was repeated several times.
He has said, “I would not have chosen to make this mistake. I don’t know what screwed up in my mind that caused me to conflate one aircraft with another.”
image via B. Ach/INFevents.com