USA TODAY International Edition
Roger Ailes, Fox in talks over his exit from the network
Executive faces harassment suit
Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes and the cable news network’s parent, 21st Century Fox, are discussing a plan that would lead to the departure of the legendary 76- year- old news executive following a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former employee, according to a person briefed on the matter.
The person asked to speak anonymously because of the sensitive nature of the talks.
The stunning development comes less than two weeks after Gretchen Carlson filed the suit in a state court in New Jersey, alleging that Ailes sabotaged her career because she refused his sexual advances.
Carlson left Fox on June 23 when her contract wasn’t renewed. Twenty- first Century Fox expressed confidence in Ailes but hired New York law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to investigate the situation.
Ailes has vigorously denied the allegation, saying the lawsuit is a retaliatory measure for the network’s refusal to renew Carlson’s contract. She was let go, Ailes said, because of the low ratings of her show, The Real Story With Gretchen Carlson.
The Drudge Report said Tuesday that it had obtained a document that shows Ailes plans to leave with a $ 40 million severance package. 21st Century Fox tweeted a statement denying it: “Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. The only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement.”
The departure of Ailes, a former media adviser to President Nixon, would represent a sea change for the conservative- leaning network, which dominates cable news ratings and has transformed and Republican pol- itics since its founding in 1996.
Speculation about Ailes’ imminent departure accelerated Tuesday after New York magazine reported that Megyn Kelly, a rising star at Fox, told investigators that Ailes had sexually harassed her in the past, buttressing Carlson’s claims.
A lawyer for Ailes denied Tuesday that he sexually harassed Kelly. “Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly,” Susan Estrich said. “In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.”