HOT ON AILES’ TAIL
Feds offer fellow ex-Fox big immunity over $ex
THE FEDS are planning to hold Fox News Channel’s feet to the fire.
A former top financial executive at the Rupert Murdoch-controlled channel has been offered immunity by federal prosecutors who are investigating payouts to women allegedly harassed by the network’s former chairman, Roger Ailes, according to the Financial Times.
Mark Kranz, who served as chief financial officer of the $1.5 billion-a-year broadcaster from 2004 to 2016, could serve as a witness against his former employer.
Fox News Channel is the target of a federal probe into allegedly concealing big-bucks payments the company made to several women to quietly settle sexual harassment claims against Ailes.
Ailes was pushed out at Fox last summer. Kranz, who is believed to be familiar with all of Fox News’ financial dealings, left the network shortly after Ailes.
An internal investigation at Fox last summer revealed that Ailes is believed to have sexually harassed many employees or potential employees over many years.
The company has been accused of quietly settling with most of the women and possibly concealing those settlements from investors.
Among Ailes’ most high-profile accusers was former Fox News superstar Megyn Kelly and “Fox & Friends” host Gretchen Carlson whose claim toppled Ailes from Fox before she settled with the network for a whopping $20 million.
Other accusers have also surfaced, including former Fox News booker Laurie Luhn (photo), who told New York magazine she was kept as Ailes’ secret sex toy for over two decades.
Luhn received a $3.1 million settlement in 2011 in exchange for her silence — although it is believed she may have forfeited the money when she revealed details of her twisted relationship with Ailes last year.
There have been other settlements and not all of them for accusations against Ailes. Representatives for Fox News’ parent company 21st Century Fox have insisted that the payouts were all handled properly by the company.
The most recent settlement was with former on-air contributor Tamara Holder who agreed to a $2.5 million payout. Holder had alleged she was sexually harassed by former vice president of Fox News Latino, Francisco Cortes.
There have been about 20 women who have alleged sexual harassment by Ailes since Carlson came forward last summer, and former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros is still suing the network alleging she was subjected to harassment.
Ailes has maintained innocence.
Kranz did not respond to calls for comment. A spokesman for the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment. his