Why Won't Former Donald Trump Boss Mark Burnett Release 'Smoking Gun' 'Apprentice' Footage?

Mark Burnett and MGM are denying their ability to release unaired Apprentice footage of Donald Trump, but sources tell PEOPLE that Republican presidential nominee’s former reality boss knows about “evidence on film” that showcases the former NBC star’s behavior towards women.

In the wake of recently leaked Access Hollywood footage from 2005 showing Trump and then-anchor Billy Bush exchanging lewd comments about Nancy O’Dell and actress Arianne Zucker, the public has pressed for Burnett to release more unaired film of Trump behind the scenes. Although MGM and Burnett released a joint statement on Monday stating that “various contractual and legal requirements also restrict MGM’s ability to release such material,” industry sources believe the MGM boss is defending his longtime associate.

“Mark loves Trump and will stand by him through everything. Mark is very religious and pious, but he identifies with Trump as a businessman and loved working with him on The Apprentice. They are both demanding in the office and enjoy being the boss,” an industry source tells PEOPLE of the Apprentice creator.

A second source also tells PEOPLE that Burnett, 56, has personally witnessed Trump on set and is aware of existing, unreleased footage.

“Mark knows about this behavior. He’s seen all the B-roll. There’s evidence on film. I guarantee you that. We all know somebody has a smoking gun,” says the source.

The source believes awareness extends beyond Burnett and that “everybody is tongue-tied, because they would never work for Burnett again.”

RELATED VIDEO: Watch Donald Trump Explain That Lewd Video at the Second Presidential Debate

On Friday, hours after The Washington Post published the 11-year-old footage of Trump and Bush aboard an Access Hollywood bus, the businessman–turned–GOP candidate released a video apology.

“I never said I’m a perfect person nor pretended to be someone that I’m not. I’ve said and done things I regret and the words released today on the more than decade-old video are one of them,” said Trump, 70, in the video. “Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong and I apologize.”

As for the fate of the Today co-host, a third source previously told PEOPLE that Bush “can’t recover” from the leak, despite his apology and suspension from the morning show.