ROGER AILES, the once-mighty Fox News chief, steps down over sexual harassment suit
The ex-chairman and CEO could still receive a $60M severance package.
Roger Ailes, chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel, stepped down Thursday, a startling fall from grace for one of the most powerful figures in American journalism.
The resignation, effective immediately, was announced by the network’s parent company, 21st Century Fox. Two weeks ago, Ailes was sued for sexual harassment by Gretchen Carlson, a former host of Fox & Friends who left the company last month when her contract wasn’t renewed.
Carlson said her career was sabotaged after she refused Ailes’ sexual advances. She also had “reported disparaging treatment in the newsroom,” including what she said was a “sexist and condescending ” way her co-host, Steve Doocy, dealt with her, her lawsuit claimed.
Ailes has vigorously denied Carlson’s claims. But 21st Century Fox immediately launched an internal investigation, interviewing other employees.
This week, a lawyer for Megyn Kelly, the network’s rising star, acknowledged she spoke to the investigators from the law firm Paul, Weiss. In the interview, she revealed she also was sexually harassed by Ailes in the past, according to a report by New York magazine. Other women also have recently told New
York magazine’s Gabriel Sherman they were sexually harassed by Ailes prior to his founding of Fox News in 1996.
With the scandal erupting rapidly, Fox executives began negotiating the 76-year old executive’s departure. Tuesday, Ailes’ lawyer, Susan Estrich, confirmed his negotiation with 21st Century Fox for severance. The company didn’t immediately comment on the severance package. But Sherman tweeted Thursday it could be as much as $60 million, paid out over time and including fees for consulting Fox after Ailes’ formal exit. 21st Century Fox and Fox News couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. Carlson also couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, will assume the role of chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. He will be aided by three of Ailes’ deputies in running the network: Bill Shine, Jay Wallace and Mark Kranz.
“Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country,” Murdoch said in a statement. “Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”
Murdoch didn’t directly address the sexual harassment scandal. But Murdoch’s sons — Lachlan Murdoch, 21st Century Fox’s co-executive chairman, and James Murdoch, the company’s CEO — who were negotiating closely with Ailes for his departure, jointly issued a statement that said they continue their “commitment to maintaining a work environment based on trust and respect.”
“We take seriously our responsibility to uphold these traditional, long-standing values of our company,” they said.
Said Rupert Murdoch: “It is always difficult to create a channel or a publication from the ground up and against seemingly entrenched monopolies. To lead a flourishing news channel, and to build Fox Business, Roger has defied the odds.”
Murdoch said he’s also “personally committed to ensuring that Fox News remains a distinctive, powerful voice.”