Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson sued Fox News Chairman and Chief Executive Roger Ailes on Wednesday claiming sexual harassment and that he wrongfully fired her after years of making unwanted advances.
Carlson claimed in the lawsuit that Ailes took her off the popular morning show "Fox & Friends" in 2013, cut her pay and placed her in a less desirable afternoon time slot because she refused to have a sexual relationship with him. The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey state court.
She also claimed in the lawsuit that Ailes called her a "man hater" and that he criticized her for getting offended when she had confrontations with male coworkers including former co-host Steve Doocy.
21st Century Fox said in a statement that it will conduct an internal review based on Carlson’s charges.
“The Company has seen the allegations against Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy. We take these matters seriously. While we have full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy, who have served the company brilliantly for over two decades, we have commenced an internal review of the matter,” Fox said in a statement.
Ailes also issued his own statement.
"Gretchen Carlson's allegations are false. This is a retaliatory suit for the network's decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup," he said in a statement.
"When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit. Ironically, FOX News provided her with more on-air opportunities over her 11 year tenure than any other employer in the industry, for which she thanked me in her recent book. This defamatory lawsuit is not only offensive, it is wholly without merit and will be defended vigorously," he said.
Carlson, 50, said she was fired on June 23. She is seeking damages for lost compensation, damage to her career and mental anguish. A former Miss America, she joined Fox News in 2005.
The lawsuit accused Ailes of retaliating against Carlson by firing her and before that "ostracizing, marginalizing and shunning her after making clear to her that these 'problems' would not have existed, and could be solved, if she had a sexual relationship with him."
Fox News is a subsidiary of News Corp. The lawsuit, which accused Ailes of retaliation, did not name the company as a defendant.
The case is Carlson v. Ailes, New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County, case number not immediately available.
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