The review is ongoing.
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Since the allegations by Carlson became public, reports have emerged of several other women who have worked with Ailes in the past also saying that he sought sexual favors in return for employment.
The controversy surrounding Fox News has been the biggest management test thus far for James and Lachlan Murdoch, who were elevated in the 21st Century Fox media empire previous year.
Fox News chairman Roger Ailes walks with his wife Elizabeth Tilson as they leave the News Corp building, July 19, in New York City.
Ailes’ exit was prematurely announced Tuesday on the Drudge Report, which published – and then took down – papers showing that Ailes would be leaving the company with a $40million payout and the possibility of staying on through 2017 as a consultant. The New York Times also reported that Ailes is in talks to leave.
Attorney Susan Estrich said there were “lots of conversations” taking place, and that there are “lots of different people doing a lot of talking”.
“We are supportive and sympathetic to anyone who comes forward to report unwanted sexual advances or other types of harassment in the workplace”, Gretchen Carlson, 50, and her lawyer Nancy Erika Smith, said via their rep Allan Ripp, tell HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY.
Ailes has denied the claims and called the lawsuit “wholly without merit”.
The lawyers have been conducting interviews with members of Ailes’ staff at their offices instead of Fox News Channel’s Sixth Ave. headquarters over allegations the offices may have been bugged.
The claims made by Carlson spurred an internal investigation at Fox News. Along the way, Ailes established Fox News as the leading media platform for conservative politics.
Ailes has denied that he ever sexually harassed Carlson, whose contract expired last month.
This negotiation came following the sexual harassment lawsuit was filed by Gretchen Carlson, a former anchor.
“[Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images]Ailes said in a statement, “(Carson’s suit) 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.
Following the release of NY magazine’s report, 21st Century Fox issued a statement claiming the “matter is not yet resolved and the review is not concluded”.
It will be very interesting to see what the future could look like for Fox News without Ailes or their star anchor Kelly.
James Murdoch reportedly wanted to give Ailes the option to step down or be fired this week, while his father and brother preferred to hold off until this week’s Republican National Convention was over.
There is no obvious successor to Mr. Ailes.
As CEO of Fox News, Ailes has had a hand on the controls for all employees and their careers at Fox News, and Ailes and his supporters have created a “conspiracy of silence”, according to one of the anonymous women.
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Rupert Murdoch and his family own 21st Century Fox and Fox News through the Murdoch Family Trust.
