Bill O'Reilly Named in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Reported by Marie Therese - October 13, 2004 -
By Pradnya Joshi, Staff Writer, Newsday October 13, 2004, 6:59 PM EDT
An associate producer for Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" filed a sexual-harassment suit yesterday against host Bill O'Reilly and the network, alleging that during telephone calls and in-person conversations, he made many lewd and sexual comments over the years.
Earlier in the day, Fox News and O'Reilly filed a lawsuit of their own against Andrea Mackris of Manhattan and her attorney, Benedict Morelli, alleging that they tried to extort $60 million in "hush money" to prevent a sexual-harassment suit.
O'Reilly denied the harassment claims against him, and in a news conference yesterday, Morelli said Fox's claim of extortion was baseless. He and his partner had settlement talks with Fox, Morelli said, adding that "the type of negotiations that occurred between us and the attorneys for Fox and Bill O'Reilly happen every day ... "
Mackris, 33, mostly stared at the conference table during the news conference and did not answer any questions.
Mackris' suit claims that during several dinners, O'Reilly talked about how he had advised another woman how to use a vibrator and suggested Mackris use one, too. He allegedly related many stories of his own sexual encounters on several occasions over the years. (End excerpt.)
To read the rest of the article go to Fox's O'Reilly Sued for Harassment.
For copies of the court documents go to The Smoking Gun.
