Fox News has reached a settlement with former “Fox and Friends” host Gretchen Carlson over allegations that the network’s disgraced former CEO sexually harassed her, the network said in a statement Tuesday.
Fox will pay Carlson $20 million to end her lawsuit against Roger Ailes, Vanity Fair reported. Ailes received a $40 million severance package.
“We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve,” Fox said in the statement.
Carlson had said in her lawsuit that Ailes made sexual advances toward her. She alleged her former co-host, Steve Doocy, also mistreated her.
She said in a statement Tuesday that she was “gratified” that Fox took decisive action after she filed her complaint.
“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,” Carlson said. “I want to thank all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen. All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace in which talent, hard work and loyalty are recognized, revered and rewarded.”
The former Miss America is just one of many women who have spoken out both publicly and privately against Ailes, who resigned in July. New York Magazine’s Gabe Sherman has spoken to over half a dozen women who have shared similar stories. Sources told Sherman that anchor Megyn Kelly has also accused Ailes of making unwanted sexual advances.
In the wake of Carlson’s lawsuit, several prominent Fox News figures rushed to Ailes’ defense, including anchors Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and Greta Van Susteren, who called Carlson “a very unhappy employee.”
Van Susteren left the company on Tuesday.