Lauer cunningly used the lock tech to keep the woman captive.
Was it a dead bolt or something that locked the door knob? I read the accounts as being something that simply locked the door knob to prevent people from coming into his office.
From the Variety article:
Lauer, who was paranoid about being followed by tabloid reporters, grew more emboldened at 30 Rockefeller Center as his profile rose following Katie Couric’s departure from “Today” in 2006. His office was in a secluded space, and he had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door from the inside without getting up. This afforded him the assurance of privacy. It allowed him to welcome female employees and initiate inappropriate contact while knowing nobody could walk in on him, according to two women who were sexually harassed by Lauer.
If you've got a source that says it prevented passage through the door from either direction and thus, locking the women in and keeping them captive, please share it.
I know everyone is talking about this door lock button, but Matt Lauer isn't the only per to have this button at NBC, it's something other execs have, including women NBC executives past/present. Not condoning it, but important to note that others have it/had it, including women.