Uber executives defend embattled CEO in latest damage-control effort

Board member Arianna Huffington and other executives repeatedly said they support Travis Kalanick despite weeks of turmoil and public relations crises

Top executives at Uber defended its CEO, Travis Kalanick, on Tuesday, claiming that the company roiled by scandals can "fundamentally change" its culture with the embattled founder at the helm.

Board member Arianna Huffington and two executives repeatedly said they supported Kalanick during a conference call with reporters. The call was the latest damage-control effort at the ride-sharing company, which has faced weeks of turmoil and public relations crises including a massive sexual harassment scandal, a series of high-profile departures, an explosive intellectual property lawsuit and revelations that the company used secret software to deceive law enforcement.