Update: Fox News CEO Roger Ailes Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

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Gretchen Carlson Sues Fox News CEO Roger Ailes for Sexual Harassment
by Liz Raftery
July 6, 2016


Longtime Fox News host Gretchen Carlson has filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, TVGuide.com has learned.

Carlson, a former co-host of "Fox & Friends", was fired on June 23 despite the fact that her show "The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson" was the leading cable news show in its afternoon time slot. In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in New Jersey Superior Court, Carlson alleges that she was terminated because she refused to sleep with Ailes and, "tried to challenge what she felt was unequal treatment of her in the newsroom by some of her male colleagues."



In a meeting last September with Ailes, in which Carlson brought up her treatment in the newsroom, her boss allegedly told her:

"I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you'd be good and better and I'd be good and better. ... Sometimes problems are easier to solve [that way]."







Carlson, who worked at Fox News for 11 years, believes Ailes retaliated against her after she reported sexist behavior on the part of her "Fox & Friends" co-host Steve Doocy by removing her from "Fox & Friends" and replacing her with Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

Carlson was moved to a 2 p.m. time slot to host "The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson", at a "significantly" lower pay rate. She claims that Ailes called her a "man hater," and also made numerous comments about her physical appearance, and complained about his marriage during the time of her employment.

Carlson is seeking an undisclosed amount of compensatory and punitive damages.



She has not addressed the lawsuit publicly, but posted on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday, asking her fans to please keep in touch:

"As you may have heard, I'm no longer with @FoxNews. I value your support and friendship so please stay in touch: http://facebook.com/therealgretchencarlson"

http://www.tvguide.com/news/gretchen...ment-fox-news/

[JamesG]

Roger Ailes Resigns as Fox News Chief
by Charlie Mason
July 21, 2016


Fox News‘ parent company 21st Century Fox announced on Thursday that Roger Ailes has resigned from his post, with 21st Century Fox’s executive chairman Rupert Murdoch taking over as chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

Rumors had been swirling for weeks that, in the wake of Gretchen Carlson’s sexual-harassment lawsuit against the exec, he was on his way out. Reports that Megyn Kelly had told 21st Century Fox’s independent investigators that, years ago, Ailes had also made unwanted sexual advances toward her suggested that his fate had been sealed.

The only question was whether he would be fired or allowed to resign.





In announcing the Ailes’ news, Murdoch praised him as having “made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country,” adding that when he became founding CEO of Fox News, he “shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”

http://tvline.com/2016/07/21/roger-a...upert-murdoch/

[JamesG]

Report: FOX Settles Sexual Harassment Suit for $20M on Ailes' Behalf
9/6/16


FOX News has reached a $20 million settlement of former anchor Gretchen Carlson's sexual harassment lawsuit against the network's former chief Roger Ailes, Vanity Fair said on Tuesday, citing three people familiar with the settlement.

FOX News parent 21st Century Fox Inc confirmed the settlement but did not announce the terms and offered Carlson a public apology.

"We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve," the media company said in a statement.





It is unclear how much Ailes himself might pay but FOX News, part of 21st Century Fox, essentially insures Ailes against any settlement, the magazine said, citing two people familiar with the arrangement.

Carlson has voluntarily dismissed her federal lawsuit in New Jersey against Ailes, a court filing shows.

http://www.aol.com/article/2016/09/0...s-be/21466282/