Vic says Bill denials break deal
DISGRACED EX-FOX News host Bill O’Reilly is a “serial abuser and liar” whose claims of innocence breached a secret agreement with a woman who accused him of harassment on the job, a new lawsuit charged Monday.
Rachel Bernstein, a former junior producer at Fox News, is one of six women who reportedly entered into settlement agreements after alleging abuse by O’Reilly.
Bernstein signed her settlement in July 2002, following an alleged episode in which O’Reilly stormed into the newsroom and yelled at her, according to an April report in The New York Times.
O’Reilly was forced out of Fox News that month following a series of revelations about his alleged sexual harassment and abuse — including against Bernstein.
But O’Reilly — who anchored Fox News’ prime time show, “The O’Reilly Factor” — maintained his innocence, saying, “I never mistreated anyone.”
The host with the catchphrase “no spin zone” claimed his accusers were all out to get him.
“Once you get a famous name, and once you’re in the political arena, the combination is devastating. If they can get you, they’re going to get you,” O’Reilly told The Hollywood Reporter in September.
Those lines, as well as other public statements by O’Reilly, represented a breach of his settlement with Bernstein, she alleged in Manhattan Federal Court.
The agreement included confidentiality and nondisparagement clauses.
“O’Reilly presented himself as a victim of a vast conspiracy and not a serial abuser and coward hiding behind the nondisclosure agreements he forced his victims to sign,” Bernstein’s attorney Neil Mullin wrote in the complaint.
“Mr. O’Reilly is the liar. He mistreated Ms. Bernstein. She was forced out of her job at Fox News and paid a settlement because of his mistreatment. ”
Fredric Newman, an attorney for O’Reilly, vowed to respond “aggressively” in court.
“Bill O’Reilly has never