USA Today reports that there were rumors that Ailes would be liable to pay part of the settlement, but due to DE law, 21st Century Fox, which was not named as a defendant in Carlson’s lawsuit, will pay the entire amount of the settlement sum.
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Ailes, who departed the network on July 21, has denied the allegations. Ailes lawyer later disclosed that he did not contribute.
Since the allegations by Carlson became public – she filed a suit in a New Jersey Superior Court on July 6 – reports have emerged of other women who have worked with the executive in the past also saying that he sought sexual favors in return for employment opportunities.
Carlson expressed her gratitude and thanked 21 Century Fox for handling her complaint decisively.
In a statement Tuesday, Fox parent company 21st Century said that “we regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve”.
Carlson thanked “all the fearless women” who came forward to tell their own stories and others who supported her.
“During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism”, the statement added. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. He resigned under pressure less than three weeks after Carlson filed suit.
Also Tuesday, Fox News announced the surprise departure of Greta Van Susteren from its nighttime lineup. Ailes claimed she was let go after her contract expired because of low ratings for her show.
FNC senior political analyst Brit Hume will take over as host of “On the Record” through the election.
However, Politico and Buzzfeed reported that Van Susteren left over a financial disagreement. She exercised her option to leave late last week.
Roger Ailes, former Fox News chief and current Donald Trump adviser, has hired lawyer Charles J. Harder to pursue a defamation lawsuit against NY magazine and one of its reporters, Gabriel Sherman, presumably over Sherman’s reporting on the sexual harassment allegations that led to Ailes’ swift and sudden departure. Fox has also settled a “handful” of other similar lawsuits for much smaller fees than what was paid to Carlson.
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Van Susteren, who would have marked 15 years with the network in January, said on Facebook that Fox “has not felt like home to me for a few years”. “The clause had a time limitation, meaning I could not wait”.
