Ex-Fox anchor Carlson settles lawsuit against Ailes for $20M
NEW YORK — Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes for a reported $20 million and a public apology Tuesday, ending the case that triggered the downfall of the cable channel’s chief executive.
Carlson alleged in a lawsuit filed two months ago that she was demoted and let go at Fox because she rejected Ailes’ sexual advances and complained about workplace harassment.
In a statement, Fox parent company 21st Century Fox said: “We regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.”
Carlson was paid $20 million, according to a person familiar with the settlement who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were confidential. Ailes did not pay any of the settlement, said his lawyer, Susan Estrich.
Carlson said she is ready to move on to the next chapter in her life and promised to work to help women in the workplace.
Ailes, 76, denied Carlson’s allegations when the lawsuit was filed. He had no comment Tuesday.
Also Tuesday, Fox News announced the surprise departure of Greta Van Susteren from a nighttime lineup that has been one of the most successful and stable in cable news.
Van Susteren, who would have marked 15 years with the network in January, said on Facebook that Fox “has not felt like home to me for a few years.”
She did not elaborate. She has been temporarily replaced by Brit Hume.
Van Susteren was among the Fox employees who came forward to speak on Ailes’ behalf after Carlson’s lawsuit.
