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Richard Drew
Gretchen Carlson
Fox News settles sexual harassment case brought by sacked host
Gretchen Carlson said that she was looking forward to moving onto the next chapter of her life.
FOX NEWS HAS settled a sexual harassment suit against its former CEO, which was filed by former reporter Gretchen Carlson.
Carlson filed the suit in New Jersey against Roger Ailes, saying she was fired for rejecting his sexual advances.
The lawsuit alleged that Ailes “unlawfully retaliated against Carlson and sabotaged her career because she refused his sexual advances and complained about severe and pervasive sexual harassment”.
Carlson, who won the Miss America pageant in 1989, joined Fox in 2005 after working at CBS News, and during her career interviewed numerous world leaders including President Barack Obama, former president George W Bush and former British prime minister Tony Blair.
Ailes has since resigned from his role at Fox News.
Today, Carlson released a statement on her official website, saying that the case had been settled.
While she did not state how much the case was settled for, the New York Times says it understands it amounted to $20 million.
She said:
I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my complaint. I’m ready to move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble my efforts to empower women in the workplace. I want to thank all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen. All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace.
She also included a statement from 21st Century Fox, which said:
21st Century Fox is pleased to announce that we have settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit. During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologise for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve. We know Gretchen will be successful in whatever endeavors she chooses in the future.
Carlson said she is “ready to move on to the next chapter of my life”.
- Additional reporting © AFP, 2016
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