Summary: Gretchen Carlson is suing the head of Fox News for sexual harassment.
Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson is taking on the head of the network. In an explosive new lawsuit, she alleges that Fox CEO and Chairman Roger Ailes sexually harassed her.
Carlson, 50, was with Fox News for over eleven years and was an anchor on Fox’s “The Real Story” until she was removed in June. She said she was fired because she refused her 76-year-old boss’s unwanted advances, but Ailes has denied the charges, saying she is retaliating.
“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,” Ailes told CNN. “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.”
CNN reports that “The Real Story” had low ratings compared to other Fox News shows.
Ailes founded the conservative-leaning news network, Fox News, in 1996; and he is largely credited for its mega success. According to CNN, his employees are very loyal to him and just last year he signed a multi-year contract.
Carlson is represented by Nancy Erika Smith of Smith Mullin. After Carlson’s lawsuit became public, at least ten women have come forward with similar claims, according to Smith Mullin. Carlson’s lawyer may also use as evidence the 2014 book “The Loudest Voice in the Room” by Gabriel Sherman to validate Carlson’s claims. Sherman wrote Ailes made sexual comments towards other female journalists such as Randi Harrison and that he decided on what female to hire based on whether or not he would want to have sex with her.
Carlson’s lawsuit is only against Ailes and not the network. However, the lawsuit alleges that Steve Doocy, her co-host, was also sexist. In the lawsuit, the Stanford alum said Doocy “engaged in a pattern and practice of severe and pervasive sexual harassment of Carlson, including, but not limited to, mocking her during commercial breaks, shunning her off air, refusing to engage with her on air, belittling her contributions to the show, and generally attempting to put her in her place by refusing to accept and treat her as an intelligent and insightful female journalist rather than a blond female prop.”
Carlson’s lawsuit stated that Ailes did nothing to stop Doocy’s behavior and told her she was a “man hater” who needed to “get along with the boys.” Additionally, Carlson said Ailes made sexual advances towards her and said other sexist things. He would make comments such as, “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.”
Fox has stated that it is conducting an internal review. Rupert Murdoch, Ailes’ boss, issued a statement with his two sons who run 21st Century Fox:
“We take these matters seriously,” the statement said, “While we have full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy, who have served the company brilliantly for over two decades, we have commenced an internal review of the matter.”
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Source: CNN