Former Fox News presenter Gretchen Carlson is suing Fox News Chief Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Executives at the network have already denied accusations. 21st Century Fox said the case is being reviewed internally.
Carlson said her contract with the morning show Fox & Friends ended in 2013 after she turned down a sexual relationship with the former political consultant, said Reuters. Fox News is one of the most popular news channels in the United States.
The 50-year-old woman said employees in the newsroom were sexist and condescending toward her. On June 23, she had to abandon The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson as her contract was terminated. She said her TV show was a leader in the segment.
A complaint received by the Superior Court of New Jersey said Ailes “sabotaged” Carlson’s career in the news channel because she denied involving in sexual relationships with him. On Wednesday, 21st Century Fox said it remains confident in Ailes.
“When Carlson met with Ailes to discuss the discriminatory treatment to which she was being subjected, Ailes stated: ‘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’,” said the complaint and jury demand.
‘Ailes asked her to turn around so he could view her posterior’
Ailes has described the event as a “retaliatory suit,” saying it was a result of Carlson’s contract ending. The former Republican consultant said the TV channel was suffering from “disappointingly low ratings” because of her performance.
The CEO of Fox News Channel added that Carlson “began to pursue a lawsuit,” when she realized her contract was not going to be renewed. The executive stated that Carlon’s allegations were offensive. He concluded that the lawsuit “will be defended vigorously.”
Carlson stated in the complaint that her Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy treated her in a sexist way. The graduate of Stanford University protested about Doocy’s behavior. The document said Ailes started calling her a “man-hater” after the event.
The former Miss America also accused Ailes of “asking her to turn around so he could view her posterior,” said the document, according to U.S.A. Today. Nancy Erika Smith and Martin Hyman of Smith Mullin and Golenbock Eiseman are representing Carlson in the case.
Carlson is seeking compensation for mental anguish and punitive damages
Nancy Erika Smith told CNNMoney in an interview the lawsuit against Ailes did not start when Carlson’s contract ended. She added that Aile’s harassment was “very consistent and pervasive.”
Carlson is asking for compensation regarding punitive damages, mental anguish, services of lawyers, and “reimbursement for negative tax consequences resulting from a jury verdict,” said USA Today.
Sources who spoke to the Huffington Post said they aren’t surprised about Carlson’s lawsuit against the CEO of Fox News.
“He hated her and would tell people that she was crazy,” said a Fox News employee who preferred to remain anonymous.
Source: Reuters