NY magazine reported that Kelly told lawyers leading an internal Fox investigation that Ailes had sexually harassed her a decade ago.
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The stunning development comes less than two weeks after Gretchen Carlson filed the suit in a state court in New Jersey, alleging that Ailes sabotaged her career because she refused his sexual advances.
The horror story sexual harassment allegations against Fox News’ CEO of 20 years are nearly endless, ranging from deeply disturbing sexual comments, to exposing himself and asking for oral sex, to offering women career advancement in exchange for sex, to attempting to lock a 19-year-old in a hotel room with him.
Ailes helped launch Fox News in 1996 and positioned it as being a “fair and balanced” network – many would say with a staunchly conservative viewpoint – that would be an alternative for viewers who believed there was a liberal bias in the established media outlets, including CNN, which had the cable news market all to itself.
Fox News parent 21st Century Fox issued a statement late Tuesday that said Ailes, a 1958 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, is still employed by the company.
Speaking through his representatives, Ailes strenuously denied the newest allegations reportedly coming from Kelly.
Initially, the departure was announced Tuesday afternoon with a siren on the Drudge Report, and a story by The Daily Beast that said Ailes’ departure was confirmed by Fox to editor-at-large Lloyd Grove.
A Fox statement said a legal review into the accusations was ongoing and that Ailes was working. “The only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement”. New York’s report suggests this is why. The lawsuit made 21st Century Fox conduct an in-house review. Fox is now dominating all of the other networks in this week’s coverage of the Republican National Convention. Fox spokesperson Irena Briganti emailed reporters a list of glowing remarks Kelly has made about Ailes over the years. Three of Fox News’ biggest stars – Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren – have clauses in their contracts that would allow them to depart if Mr Ailes were to leave the network, the two people briefed on the dispute said.
Ailes said in a statement then: “Gretchen Carlson’s allegations are false”.
Kelly Boyle, one of Ailes’ many alleged victims, was a communications consultant when she met him.
“I think this situation could only solidify her as the face of Fox”, said Karen M. Turner, a journalism professor at Temple University and media critic.
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Ailes’ departure could lead to uncertainty at Fox News Channel because of the loyalty of many anchors. It’s refreshing news that the exec will no longer run Fox News, but the fact that he’ll be payed to leave taints the bit of progress achieved.
