Report: Fox Settles With More Women in Ailes CaseBy Todd Beamon | Tuesday, 06 Sep 2016
Twenty-First Century Fox has reached settlements with a "handful" of women who have accused former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes of harassing them, according to news reports.
The payments were substantially "smaller" than the $20 million settlement reached with former anchor Gretchen Carlson, whose lawsuit in July led to Ailes' resignation, CNN reports, quoting "a person briefed on the matter."
"Nonetheless, the existence of multiple payouts underscores the serious nature of the sexual-harassment scandal," CNN's Brian Stelter said in his report.
Fox, which owns Fox News Channel, also publicly apologized to Carlson in a statement issued on Tuesday.
"We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect that she and all our colleagues deserve," Fox said.
Carlson sued Ailes alleging sexual harassment and discrimination on July 6. By the end of the month, Ailes had resigned — the move coming after as many as 20 other women at Fox reportedly told an internal investigation that Ailes had harassed them.
In some cases, the women have retained legal counsel, Stelter reports.
Ailes, 76, has denied Carlson's accusations. He remains a consultant to the company through 2018.
Fox is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who is News Corporation's executive chairman, and is also managed by his sons, James and Lachlan. They brought in a private law firm to investigate Carlson's allegations.
News Corporation also owns 21st Century Fox. The Fox News Channel contributes more than $1 billion a year to the company.
"I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my complaint," Carlson said Tuesday. "I'm ready to move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble my efforts to empower women in the workplace."
But at least one lawsuit brought by a former Fox News host is continuing, according to the report.
That suit was brought last month by Andrea Tantaros, who accused Ailes of retaliation after complaining about his advances.
Fox has charged, in response, that Tantaros "is not a victim; she is an opportunist."
Tantaros's attorney told CNN Tuesday that her lawsuit has not been settled.
In addition, Laurie Dhue, another former Fox News host, is currently writing a book on when she worked for Ailes, according to the report.
Her attorney declined to comment to CNN on whether she was settling any action against Ailes.
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