Former Fox News Host Gretchen Carlson settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes for $20 million dollars. The case settled two months after Ms. Carlson filed her complaint.
On July 6, 2016, Ms. Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes, the former Chairman and CEO of Fox News. Ms. Carlson hosted the popular morning show “Fox & Friends” for seven and a half years. In September 2009, Ms. Carlson alleged that one of her co-hosts, Steve Doocy, created a hostile work environment by treating her in a sexist and condescending manner. Ms. Carlson said that she complained about Mr. Doocy to her supervisor. Mr. Ailes allegedly called her a “man hater” for complaining, and that she needed to “get along with the boys.”
In 2013, Ms. Carlson was fired from “Fox & Friends” by Mr. Ailes. Ms. Carlson claimed Mr. Ailes sexually harassed her. Some allegations from Ms. Carlson’s complaint include:
- Mr. Ailes ogling Carlson in his office and asking her to turn around so he could view her posterior.
- Commenting that certain outfits enhanced Carlson’s figure and urging her to wear them every day.
- Commenting repeatedly about Carlson’s legs.
- Lamenting that marriage was “boring, “hard” and “not much fun.”
- Making sexual advances by various means.
- Stating “I’m sure you [Carlson] can do sweet nothings when you want to.”
- Telling Carlson that she was “sexy,” but “too much hard work.”
- Stating “I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you’d be good and better and I’d be good and better.”
Ms. Carlson claimed she lost out on various career opportunities because she refused to engage in a sexual relationship or participate in sexual banter with Ailes. In the aftermath of the lawsuit, Fox News parted ways with Roger Ailes, and moved quickly to settle the case.
Thatcher Law Firm routinely handles sexual harassment and sex discrimination matters. Contact us if you need legal assistance.