Keith Olbermann suspended

MSNBC announced Friday that it has suspended prime-time host Keith Olbermann indefinitely and without pay for making political contributions to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates.

In a statement provided to FoxNews.com, Phil Griffin, president of the network, said he “became aware of Keith’s political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.”

Olbermann acknowledged to NBC that he donated $2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords.

NBC News prohibits its employees from working on, or donating to, political campaigns unless a special exception is granted by the news division president -- effectively a ban. Olbermann's bosses did not find out about the donations until after they were made.

The website Politico first reported the donations.

According to the Politico report, the contributions were made this fall, including one that came just hours after Grijalva appeared on Olbermann’s program.

Olbermann's "Countdown" show, which airs at 8 p.m. ET, is MSNBC's most popular program. He was a co-anchor of MSNBC's election coverage this week.

Chris Hayes will fill in for Olbermann on Friday's program, the network said.