Former Blonde on Fox suing Roger Ailes for Sexual Harrasment
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 5:06 am
Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson is suing the network's CEO and chairman Roger Ailes, alleging a pervasive practice of sexual harassment.
Now Ailes is vigorously denying her accusations and Fox's parent company is conducting an "internal review."
Carlson, 50, was removed from her 2 p.m. newscast "The Real Story" in late June. The lawsuit said she was terminated for "refusing Ailes' sexual advances."
But Ailes said in a Wednesday evening statement that the allegations are "false."
"This is a retaliatory suit for the network's decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup," he said. "When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit."
Earlier in the day, Carlson's attorney Nancy Erika Smith, of the firm Smith Mullin, told CNNMoney that the lawsuit "didn't begin with her termination."
Smith asserted that Ailes' harassment was "very consistent and very pervasive."
In the hours since the lawsuit was announced, "at least ten" other women have contacted the law firm, wanting to speak about Ailes' treatment, according to a spokesman for the firm.
Smith emphasized that Carlson is only suing Ailes, not the network, but the lawsuit also describes "sexist" treatment from a fellow Fox host, Steve Doocy.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/06/media/g ... s-lawsuit/
Now Ailes is vigorously denying her accusations and Fox's parent company is conducting an "internal review."
Carlson, 50, was removed from her 2 p.m. newscast "The Real Story" in late June. The lawsuit said she was terminated for "refusing Ailes' sexual advances."
But Ailes said in a Wednesday evening statement that the allegations are "false."
"This is a retaliatory suit for the network's decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup," he said. "When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit."
Earlier in the day, Carlson's attorney Nancy Erika Smith, of the firm Smith Mullin, told CNNMoney that the lawsuit "didn't begin with her termination."
Smith asserted that Ailes' harassment was "very consistent and very pervasive."
In the hours since the lawsuit was announced, "at least ten" other women have contacted the law firm, wanting to speak about Ailes' treatment, according to a spokesman for the firm.
Smith emphasized that Carlson is only suing Ailes, not the network, but the lawsuit also describes "sexist" treatment from a fellow Fox host, Steve Doocy.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/06/media/g ... s-lawsuit/