Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes for a reported $20 million and a public apology Tuesday, ending the case that triggered the downfall of the cable channel’s chief executive.
Carlson alleged in a lawsuit filed two months ago that she was demoted and let go at Fox because she rejected Ailes’ sexual advances and complained about workplace harassment.
In a statement, Fox parent company 21st Century Fox said: “We regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.”
Carlson was paid $20 million, according to a person familiar with the settlement who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were confidential. Ailes did not pay any of the settlement, said his lawyer, Susan Estrich.
Carlson said she is ready to move on to the next chapter in her life and promised to work to help women in the workplace. She thanked “all the brave women” who came forward to tell their own stories and others who supported her.
“All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace,” she said.
Ailes, 76, denied Carlson’s allegations when the lawsuit was filed. He had no comment Tuesday.
Also Tuesday, Fox News announced the surprise departure of Greta Van Susteren from a nighttime lineup that has been one of the most successful and stable in cable news.
Van Susteren, who would have marked 15 years with the network in January, said on Facebook that Fox “has not felt like home to me for a few years.” She did not elaborate. She has been temporarily replaced by Brit Hume.
Van Susteren was among the Fox employees who came forward to speak on Ailes’ behalf after Carlson’s lawsuit. She later said she wasn’t trying to defend him, merely to say she hadn’t experienced harassment or knew anybody who had.
Carlson, a former Miss America, worked for several years on the “Fox & Friends” morning show, then was switched to a less-visible afternoon time slot in 2013. She was told in June that her contract would not be renewed.
Carlson alleged that Ailes told her in a meeting, “You and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago.” She said he ogled her, repeatedly commented about her legs and urged her to wear clothes that enhanced her figure.
New York magazine reported last week that Carlson began taking her iPhone into meetings with Ailes in 2014 and secretly recording their conversations.
Carlson’s case led 21st Century Fox to launch its own investigation, and other women came forward with stories of being sexually harassed by Ailes, including Fox News star Megyn Kelly. A few women told their stories publicly.
Two weeks after Carlson sued, Ailes was gone, reportedly with a $40 million payout. He is said to be informally advising Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
At least two other women who spoke to investigators have reached financial settlements with 21st Century Fox in return for a promise not to sue, according to the person familiar with the investigation.
Another former Fox personality, Andrea Tantaros, has filed a harassment lawsuit against the network. Fox is fighting that case and has described Tantaros as an “opportunist” in court papers.
Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said the Carlson case could have a significant effect on the workplace as a deterrent against harassment and would make employers take such complaints from employees more seriously.
Ailes was hired by Rupert Murdoch to create Fox News from scratch in 1996. He built it into a dominant news network and a force in Republican politics.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Glad to not have to hear about any of this anymore and furthermore, I don’t care.
bee
I’m so sorry to see Gretchen go. I’ve always enjoy her show and interviews. Good Luck Gretchen, be happy.
$20 million dollars for this controversial law suit? You have to be joking. I guess it just goes to show the absolute idiots at Fox who approved this settlement. $20 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!! FOR HURT FEELINGS? AND CARlSON SAYS SHE IS GOING TO JUST MOVE ON. DAMN,WHO WOULDN’T AFTER THIS RIDICULOUS PAYOUT/ Seems to me some if not all of the dummies that approved this settlement need to be shown the door..
When you have it on tape dum ass you pay up unless your a dumascrap
$20 million dollars for this controversial law suit? You have to be joking. I guess it just goes to show the absolute idiots at Fox who approved this settlement. $20 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!! FOR HURT FEELINGS? AND CARlSON SAYS SHE IS GOING TO JUST MOVE ON. DAMN,WHO WOULDN’T AFTER THIS RIDICULOUS PAYOUT/ Seems to me some if not all of the dummies that approved this settlement need to be shown the door..
Fox has been so successful in its fight against the MSM – so something like this attack had to be orchestrated.
I suspect there will be several more victims come forward once people realize there is a pot of gold awaiting them at the end of the harassment rainbow.
You know sometimes the amount of the settlement is meant to make people think. I expect that there are many women out there who have also been on the receiving end of sexual harassment and said nothing for fear of losing a job that they need in order to help provide for families. Have you ever been passed over for a promotion and seen it go to someone less qualified because “she has a family to support”? Many women have heard that excuse as they see promotions that they have earned go to less qualified men for that very reason. And, to add insult to injury, are then told that they are to train their “new boss.” Have you ever had a risqué or lewd remark made about a part of your anatomy knowing that, if you complain, it could cost you anything from a well-deserved raise to losing your job. Many women have experienced that. Mae West’s famous line, “Is that a pickle in your pocket or are you glad to see me?” could and should be considered a harassment if uttered in the workplace. How many times have you heard fellow (and I DO mean
What is happening at my favorite FOX News? Why did they not get rid of Mr. Ailes first and let Gretchen, Greta, Andrea and others stay as they helped make this station great. They were the professionals. They told the real story about what was going on and did not lie. They will be missed and I will miss watching Fox News as it will not be the same.
Fox must have a pot of gold to settled these claims..! 40mil here And 20 mil their? Wow. we peasants are in the wrong business????????????????????????
Fox must have a pot of gold to settled these claims..! 40mil here And 20 mil their? Wow. we peasants are in the wrong business????????????????????????
Why do you think they paid the 20 mill Because she has recordings, Dummies. She is the smart one. Some people always have to resent those who get because they haven’t.
When I was working around females I was in constant fear of any thing you say, with out thinking, could cost me my job. And the Company millions! We had classes about what would’ve be considered harassment. Especially when the woman wanted to talk like it was ok, or made sexual remarks to me, what I was suppose to do! It’s a rough world to work in!
@Life: complaints of sexual harassment can run both ways! Don’t walk on eggshells, be open to sensitivities woman may have, so that if there are any complaints, the woman comes to you first and you settle matters without involving the company. Let them know about this, they cannot read your mind. Before you remark on a woman’s body, think of how such a remark might make you feel from a gay person, triple that feeling, and you should know when to keep your mouth shut. Compliments on clothing, a new hair style or some jewelry are fine, remarks about body parts are not. Remember crudity is not limited to men, some women may feel it is payback. Before you lodge a complaint, you should announce you would be ready to do so; but would rather discuss the matter first. This is not being a wimp, or bowing down to women, this is being a smart guy who knows how to navigate the changing social and business climates.
When I was a shapely girl, I used to pass construction workers, walking to and from either school or work. It was a gauntlet of crude sexual remarks. Would you want your teenager daughter being subjected to this? Or any teenage girl you know? Change starts with a single person, be strong enough to be that person!
Just fyi: I am a 78 year old women who has suffered a lot of crude remarks that never should have been said. I also know people; henceforth the above advice. Thanks for reading this all the way thru.
Sexual harassment does occur in the workplace. Many women are afraid to report it for fear of being labelled a troublemaker, overly sensitive, or out to get some money. Another reason for not reporting it is that the woman IS out to make some money–her paycheck, which she could lose by reporting an incident. After all, Mrs. Carlson was demoted, presumedly with an associated cut in salary, then informed that her contract would not be renewed (translation: fired) because she rebuffed the advances made by Mr. Ailes. All you critics of Mrs. Carlson’s actions, think about the checker at the local supermarket, the parent-teacher conference, the infamous “gauntlet” that is part of construction sites and nearly every co-ed campus in the United States; then, in Mrs. Carlson’s place, put your mother, sister, daughter, wife, niece, or girlfriend. How do you feel about one of those who are near and dear to you receiving lewd comments on her anatomy, suggestions (not always subtle) about her sexual prowess, touches that are a little TOO personal for comfort. How would your loved one(s) feel?
Sexual harassment, as someone pointed out, can also happen to men. The harasser may be a co-worker or a boss, male or female. It really doesn’t matter who. What matters is the ability that person has to ruin your career or even you life (i.e. relationships) if you complain or refuse “to play along.” Hollywood’s infamous “casting couches” are excellent examples of workplace sexual harassment. Luckily for Mrs. Carlson, she had enough money to fight back. Would you? I wouldn’t. So, I would probably keep quiet knowing that, if I had finally had enough and said something, not only would I not be believed, I would probably hear, “She didn’t mind. She laughed at (whatever it was).” Men, would you keep quiet?
The Best from FNC: Hannity, O Reilly, War Stories, Judge Jannine are the Best.
Feels empty W/O Greta
Darn she had to go
Shake up FNC Mgmt & probe ties to Arabs who claim to own FNC.
OK President Trump.
Get some new Blood for FNC to replace Greta.