It’s hard to say if the two stories are related but what does seem clear is that Fox News, under the lascivious leadership of Roger Ailes, created a very unhealthy work environment for women.
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More than 20 women reportedly spoke with the lawyers about inappropriate behavior by Ailes.
One lawsuit is known to be ongoing. Carlson alleged that she was demoted and let go from Fox after she refused Ailes’ sexual advances and complained about workplace harassment.
Greta Van Susteren says she exercised a clause in her contract and chose to leave Fox News, effective immediately.
Another former Fox commentator, Andrea Tantaros, has filed a harassment lawsuit against the network.
A source familiar with the deal told ABC News that the settlement was valued at $20 million.
The source originally said Ailes is paying an unknown portion of the settlement.
Meanwhile, Ailes may be looking to bring his own legal action against NY magazine, which followed Carlson’s lawsuit extremely closely, along with allegations brought against Ailes by several other women.
“The echoes of the harassment reverberated on as I was ostracized by my classmates”, said the social media strategist and Babble.com contributor. A spokesman for Carlson’s attorneys declined to comment.
That is, in the event that Ailes left (which he did, when the company fired him this summer over the sexual harassment scandal), Greta was allowed to be freed from her contract, too. He is said to be informally advising Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my complaint”, Carlson said in a statement. The recent settlements are part of the Murdochs’ effort to move past the scandal.
Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of the women’s rights group UltraViolet, said Tuesday that the settlement “is proof that Fox News executives created a toxic and risky work environment for female employees under the leadership of Roger Ailes-one rife with sexual harassment, abuse, and retaliation”.
Interestingly, Carlson didn’t sue Fox-but sued Ailes personally. Once Ailes left, she had a chance to leave too.
Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, has stepped in to lead Fox News on an interim basis and Bill Shine and Jack Abernethy, two veteran Fox TV executives were recently named co-presidents and will lead Fox News and Fox Business. “We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team”, the company said. “This is something every client who walks in my office wants and I tell them to a person this is something you will never get”, she said.
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“All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace in which talent, hard work, and loyalty are recognized, revered, and rewarded”, she said.
