O'Reilly as Victim
Reported by Marie Therese - October 14, 2004 -
Transcript of Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points Memo regarding the lawsuit filed by Andrea Macklis.
"First of all, I want to send my best to Captain Luis (Louise?) Alvarez currently serving in the First Cav in Iraq. We know you guys are watching. We really appreciate it, what you're doing over there, your service. Please stay safe."
"Secondly, it's kind of an interesting day for me, as I've now become a gossip guy after thirty years of a clean record. I knew, once we filed the extortion lawsuit yesterday, this would happen. The press would go wild printing embarrassing allegations, but I didn't have any choice. We have to let the justice system deal with this."
"Now the lawyers have asked me not to talk about this stuff any further. I was on Regis this morning and that's pretty much gonna be it, and I have to respect the lawyers' request. And, finally, thousands of you have written me great letters and your kindness is really appreciated."
The Associated Press reports:
(Begin excerpt.) NEW YORK Oct. 14, 2004 - Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly made a TV talk show appearance on what he said was "the worst day of my life" Thursday, vowing to fight sexual harassment charges by one of his producers.
Accuser Andrea Mackris spoke publicly for the first time, saying she felt threatened by her former boss, who filed a lawsuit charging the woman and her lawyer with extortion.
Mackris, 33, said O'Reilly made a series of sexually explicit phone calls to her. Mackris, an associate producer on Fox News Channel's top-rated "The O'Reilly Factor," said he advised her to use a vibrator, told her about sexual fantasies involving her and engaged in unwanted phone sex.
During an appearance to promote his children's book on "Live with Regis and Kelly," O'Reilly said he'd been repeatedly threatened with lawsuits and bodily harm over the past few years. He said he knew that by filing his lawsuit, he could perhaps ruin his career. (End excerpt.)
To read the rest of this article go to O'Reilly Says He's Ready to Fight Charges.
