Fox News Channel, Ailes, Shine Named in New Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Fox News Channel was hit with another lawsuit by a woman claiming she was treated improperly by the network and its former chairman Roger Ailes.
The new suit was filed by Julie Roginsky, a paid on-air contributor to Fox News since 2011. It names Fox, Ailes and network co-president Bill Shine as defendants.
The suit comes nearly a year after Ailes was forced out of his powerful position because of a series of sexual harassment complaints, which the network has spent at least $30 million settling.
Related > Fox News Anchor Gretchen Carlson Files Suit Against Roger Ailes
Over the weekend, The New York Times published a story outlining a number of complaints that have also been made against Bill O’Reilly, the host of FNC’s top-rated shows. The Times said O’Reilly and the network have paid out $13 million in settlements.
Fox News and its parent, 21st Century Fox are being investigated to see if they properly disclosed to shareholders that these payments were made.
Related > Report: Fox Settled O’Reilly Sexual Harassment Claim Last Summer
In her suit, filed Monday in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, Roginsky alleges that FNC and Ailes discriminated against her “on the basis of her gender by making her deserved promotion to a regular spot hosting The Five contingent upon having a sexual relationship with Ailes."
“Fox News and Ailes thereafter retaliated against Plaintiff when she refused to have a sexual relationship with Ailes," the suit states. "Shine aided and abetted the discrimination and retaliation by Fox News and Ailes by failing to take reasonable measures to protect Roginsky from, and condoning, the unlawful conduct.”
Read more at broadcastingcable.com.
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Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.