Tantaros filed the suit Monday in Manhattan state Supreme Court.
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“Fox News masquerades as a defender of traditional family values”, Tantaros claims in the suit, according to the Boston Globe.
Former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros filed a suit yesterday against Fox News and Roger Ailes, along with numerous other defendants, accusing the conservative network of operating “like a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency, and misogyny”.
Brown said the good news was that he’s not a named defendant, adding, “I think what she’s doing in terms of referencing well-known public figures, is to, kind of, I don’t know, back up her claim that there was some type of playboy atmosphere”. She says she asked Shine to ensure that Brown no longer appeared on Outnumbered, a request that the lawsuit claims Shine ignored. The complaint, which includes accusations of harassment by former network head Roger Ailes and host Bill O’Reilly, portrays a corporate culture that tolerated sexual misconduct. It also claims that Tantaros was punished for refusing and reporting Ailes’ advances by getting bumped to a low-rated, midday show, and then taken off the air. Tantaros’ legal troubles began earlier this year when Fox News accused her of breach of contract for writing a book without first obtaining the network’s approval.
The complaint also said that Fox host Bill O’Reilly had made unwelcome advances toward her. Carlson’s lawsuit, filed only against Ailes, is ongoing. “He may have been the primary culprit, but his actions were condoned by his most senior lieutenants, who engaged in a concerted effort to silence Tantaros by threats, humiliation, and retaliation”. Ailes, the network’s founding chairman and guiding force for two decades, resigned last month after a former anchor, Gretchen Carlson, said that she was sacked for refusing his sexual advances.
After Ailes left, Fox News overhauled its management by naming Shine and Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations, as co-presidents, reporting directly to Rupert Murdoch, co-executive chairman of the board of 21st Century Fox.
Alluding to Ailes, Shine allegedly told Tantaros that “this powerful man has faith in Irena Briganti” and that the cohost should “let this one go”.
“I [have never] touched Andrea Tantaros except to shake her hand and say good morning”, he said.
Within the last 5 minutes I learned that I was mentioned in her case against Fox.
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Roberts and O’Reilly couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. All interactions and contacts were in the studio in NYC and always in full view of all staff, personel and talent.
