Roger Ailes has predictably denied Gretchen Carlson’s allegations that he sexually harassed her, calling it retaliation over Fox News’ decision not to renew her contract. Now 21st Century Fox, the corporate parent of Fox News, has announced it will conduct an internal review.
As we’ve previously posted, though Carlson has only sued Ailes, her complaint also alleges sexist behavior by her former cohost, Steve Doocy. 21st Century Fox says it will investigate both:
From CNN:
Just before Ailes spoke out, his bosses—Rupert Murdoch and the two Murdoch sons who run 21st Century Fox—issued a corporate statement.
“The Company has seen the allegations against Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy,” the statement said. “We take these matters seriously. While we have full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy, who have served the company brilliantly for over two decades, we have commenced an internal review of the matter.”
The last sentence suggests that “the Company” has already concluded that it will side with Fox stalwarts and lynchpins Ailes and Doocy.
After that, Ailes issued his own statement:
“Gretchen Carlson’s allegations are false. This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup. When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit. Ironically, FOX News provided her with more on-air opportunities over her 11 year tenure than any other employer in the industry, for which she thanked me in her recent book. This defamatory lawsuit is not only offensive, it is wholly without merit and will be defended vigorously.”
But CNN reports that Carlson’s attorney noted that the lawsuit “didn’t begin with her termination.”
Meanwhile, 10 more women have reportedly contacted Carlson’s attorneys alleging that they have also been harassed by Ailes. In addition, two anonymous women have also spoken out about Ailes' sexual misconduct.
Stay tuned!
Watch CNN’s slideshow here below.
Didn’t Trump have a long talk with Rupert Murdoch during his trip to the UK? I smell a passel of rats.
Will Steve Doocy strike a hurt puppy dog pose and sniff he always thought he and Gretchen were the best of buddies? 👍
Her lawsuit didn’t have legs until various stories started breaking of others going through the same harassment by Ailes. Now it sounds like some might testify. Roger Cosby… errrr… Ailes is toast.
Most modern companies who wish to stay out of a courtroom don’t tolerate it, telling their employees to do their monkey business on their own time, not on company time. Their are of course a couple of (cough, cough, Faux News) dinosaurs out there.
The suits and male mouthpieces who are protecting him now-and they know who they are-will abandoned him to save their own broadcasting careers. These clowns don’t realize that their broadcasting careers will take a hit when the angry employees at this hideous network expose them, too.
NOTE TO MURDOCH BOYS
We thought 21st Century Fox didn’t tolerate sexual harassment of its company employees. Was it all a lie?
Making this a case — quite literally — of the Fox guarding the hen house . . .
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