Los Angeles , California ( CNN ) -- Steve McPherson quit his job as ABC Entertainment president this week amid `` gossip and innuendo '' that `` goes with the territory , '' his lawyer said Thursday . The network confirmed McPherson 's resignation , but would not comment on what McPherson attorney Tom Hoberman described as the `` rumors of internal situations '' at ABC . McPherson held the post for six years and had another year on his contract . `` Upon Steve McPherson returning to work from his vacation on Monday , he made a voluntary decision to resign and ABC accepted his resignation , '' Hoberman said in a written statement . The statement only hinted at what led to his decision to suddenly depart just days before the network was set to present its fall primetime lineup to television critics . `` It is not uncommon for high level executives to be the subject of gossip and innuendo , '' Hoberman said . `` That would include rumors of internal situations which can easily be misinterpreted or misrepresented . Seems like it goes with the territory , and there is nothing further to discuss . '' McPherson said he has `` a new entrepreneurial venture in the spirits business '' lined up as well as `` involvement in a new media company . '' ABC said it would announce a replacement for McPherson `` shortly . ''
Lawyer : Resignation came amid `` rumors of internal situations '' McPherson quit the day he returned from vacation . The resignation comes as a surprise to many in Washington, who had expected that McPherson would be able to stay on until his successor was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in.