Geraldo Rivera -- NBC Screwed Brian Williams ... By Lying, Of All Things

NBC hung Brian Williams out to dry, and guaranteed he will never return to its "Nightly News" desk ... according to veteran news guy Geraldo Rivera.

The "Celebrity Apprentice" runner-up told us Williams got a raw deal when NBC suspended him for 6 months, because it prolonged the inevitable -- what he calls a "death penalty" to BW's career.

Geraldo added ... the Peacock should've just ripped off the band-aid and canned Williams now. Not that he thinks that would've been fair.

Watch the video ... it's the staunchest defense we've seen yet -- blasting network execs and everyone who's judging Brian from "the safety of their parents' basement with their hands on their computer saying tsk tsk."

We smell a budding bromance.