Most victims of sexual assault within their company gain condolences and support from their coworkers, but that wasn’t the case for one former employee at Fox News.
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Similar to allegations in Carlson’s lawsuit, Tantaros says she was demoted after rebuffing harassment from then-network CEO Roger Ailes. Following her refusal to his abide by his request, she was taken off of a high performing 5 p.m. show and moved to a lower-rated midday show.
Beyond those named as defendants, Tantaros also calls out fellow Fox employees John Roberts and Bill O’Reilly and former Massachusetts Sen.
Tantaros claims O’Reilly began sexually harassing her in February 2016, when he invited her out to Long Island where it would be “very private”.
In 2004, he settled a lawsuit filed by Andrea Mackris, a former producer on his show, who claimed the host had phone sex conversations with her and told her he fantasized about her in the shower. Through his attorneys, Mr Ailes has denied Carlson’s claims.
Brown is mentioned in the lawsuit that was filed by Andrea Tantaros this week against Fox News.
Shine was promoted to co-president of Fox News after Ailes resigned last month amid other allegations of sexual harassment.
However, that code of silence went away in April when she was suspiciously let go from the company for breaking her contract (AKA releasing a book).
In a separate incident, she says Ailes asked her twice to “turn around so I can get a good look at you”, adding, on one occasion, “Come over here so I can give you a hug”.
Tantaros alleged that Ailes’s “actions were condoned by his most senior lieutenants, who engaged in a concerted effort to silence Tantaros by threats, humiliation, and retaliation”.
Fox in a statement said it does not comment on pending litigation. But, like many well-hushed problems in a powerful organization, accusations of sexual harassment are trickling down the Fox News hierarchy well beyond Ailes.
“In the February meeting, she said, Mr. Ailes talked about how she would look in a bikini, and accused her of ending a long-term relationship because she had been merely using the man”. Former Fox and Friends host Gretchen Carlson filed a suit against Mr Ailes in early July, prompting his departure from the network he founded and shaped into a dominant media organisation.
Tantaros, known for her vociferously conservative politics, says she complained “multiple” times to senior Fox executives, including Shine, Scott and Brandi about Ailes’ behavior. But it was when she got promoted to The Five that it got worse, and she claims Roger Ailes kept trying to get her to not wear long trousers on the air so that her legs could be seen.
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In summer 2014, Tantaros said working for Fox “devolved into a nightmare of sexual harassment” from Ailes, including “demeaning conduct” such as being made to strip in front of wardrobe personnel.
