Some of the names in leadership may have changed since (former CEOf) Roger Ailes regime, but Fox News institutional apathy towards sexual misconduct has not," the lawsuit asserts. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The lawsuit also alleges that Henry sent Areu a series of wildly inappropriate sexual images and messages throughout the first half of 2020. Eckhart and co-plaintiff Cathy Areu are represented by Douglas Wigdor, a veteran of sexually charged suits against Fox News. However, I simply could not stay silent given the tremendous harm that Mr. Henry and others at Fox News have caused for women affiliated with the company. Fox News grappled with a series of embarrassing and often sordid lawsuits in the wake of the 2016 ouster of Ailes, its former chief executive who was alleged to have harassed several female staffers and other associates over the course of his career in TV. The network released a memo on July 1 stating that Henry had been fired after an investigation into a complaint about willful sexual misconduct in the workplace., In a statement Fox News said Areu and Eckhart can pursue claims against Henry directly with him, as FOX News already took swift action as soon as it learned of Ms. Eckharts claims on June 25 and Mr. Henry is no longer employed by the network.. In a statement, Areu said: "Like Ms. Eckhart, I too was fearful to come forward. Like him, I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (and 5 week coma) from a car accident, instead of a bullet! Hannity and Carlson represent two-thirds of Foxs lucrative prime-time lineup, while Kurtz hosts the weekend Media Buzz show. It follows the story of how some of Fox's female personalities, including Carlson and Kelly, set out to expose the network's hostile work environment of sexual harassment and how Ailes allowed it to thrive. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York by the Wigdor LLC law firm, which has represented several Fox News staffers in the past in complaints that alleged sexual or racial discrimination at the company. Areu, who was also a regular guest on Kurtz's MediaBuzz, alleges that the host tried to get her to come alone to his hotel room on the premise of discussing a full-time job at the network. In Thursday's lawsuit, Henry pointed to a tweet from Folkenflik,which reported that in 2017, Fox executives were warned about a history of misconduct from Henry, which the former White House correspondent said was defamatory and framed him in a "false light.". I chose to file this complaint because no woman should have to suffer the conduct to which I was subjected, much less the egregious conduct suffered by Ms. Eckhart., In a statement, Fox News said: Based on the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation conducted by an outside law firm, including interviews with numerous eyewitnesses, we have determined that all of Cathy Areus claims against FOX News, including its management as well as its hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity & Howard Kurtz and its contributor Gianno Caldwell, are false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit. In 2016, Henry was demoted by the network from his job as White House correspondent and took a leave of absence following allegations of an extramarital affair with a Las Vegas hostess and stripper. (AP) _ A couple filed a $100 million lawsuit claiming the movie In a statement to Forbes, Fox News claimed that, following an independent investigation, all the allegations levied at Hannity, Carlson, Kurtz and Caldwell are false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit and that the network would fight the lawsuit. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Being targeted again by Douglas Wigdors law firm, well known for its pursuit of sexual misconduct cases, is an uncomfortable rerun for Fox. "Mr. Henry was not terminated after Fox News learned of these complaints. It had not.. She has reworked human-resources policies and instilled several new senior executives at Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. "The association's registered nurses strongly encourage everyone to choose to get vaccinated to protect their families and themselves.". 1/3. "Ms. Eckhart did not consent to any part of this violent, painful rape," the lawsuit says. Fox News fires Ed Henry after sexual misconduct investigation. NEW YORK (AP) Fox News Channel stars Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Howard Kurtz were accused of sexual harassment by a frequent on-air guest in a lawsuit filed Monday that the network called frivolous and untrue. ", Fox News, in its statement, insisted that the network takes "all claims of harassment, misconduct and retaliation seriously, promptly investigating them and taking immediate action as needed in this case, the appropriate action based on our investigation is to defend vigorously against these baseless allegations.". It also wrote that the two can pursue their claims against Ed Henry directly with him following his firing. As if this were not already obvious enough, shortly after this, Mr. Kurtz stated to Ms. Areu, in sum and substance, youre the only woman here who wont come to my hotel room. Ms. Areu has only appeared approximately three times on Media Buzz following her rejection of Mr. Kurtzs advances.. Inreality, however, Ms. Scott had long been an instrument to cover upthe existence of sexual misconduct at Fox News,"adding she "has repeatedly covered up sexual misconduct by seniorFox News management. UPDATED with dismissal: Ex-Fox News host Ed Henry s defamation lawsuit against NPR and CNN has been voluntarily dismissed. The lawsuit said that Fox knew that Henry who took a four-month leave of absence in 2016 following published reports of his affair with a Las Vegas cocktail waitress had engaged in sexual misconduct as far back as 2017. He then began calling out to the men in the room and demanding that someone take Ms. Areu out on a date for drinks at Del Friscos. Henry rejected the allegations, filing for dismissal of the suit by calling it "malicious and defamatory," and Fox denied anywrongdoing, saying it took "swift action" in lettingHenry go shortly after learning of the matter. FormerFox News anchorGretchen Carlson, one of thewomen who came forward with allegations against Ailes, got a reported $20 million settlement in 2016 after she sued the network, claiming Ailes demoted then fired her when she rejected his sexual advances. The lawsuit asserts Fox executives knew that Henry had been accused of sexual misconduct long before June 25. A lawsuit filed in federal court against Fox News on Monday accused former host Ed Henry of rape and alleged that he retaliated against two women who rejected his advances. Minutes into the film, I was so upset, Mrs. Cox said. Eckhart became a sexual target of Mr. Henry, noting how Mr. ", Along with Riney's comments, the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) issued a statement to The Detroit News regarding the September 10 deadline. Fox News said Areus allegations against others at Fox are false. In an interview with Vogue magazine, Abrams claimed he wrote the script in two weeks when he was 23. It is widely documented in the public record that Fox News has not only cultivated and fostered sexual harassment and misconduct, but has consistently accepted and rewarded it. ", In a statement Foti said: "The Me Too movement has helped to bring to light a number of injustices in our society, and everyone that has suffered deserves to be heard. This is not one of those cases., Eckharts lawyer, Michael Willemin, accused Foti of trying to slut-shame Eckhart and suggest that she was asking to be violently raped. Lawsuit Against Fox News Alleges Harassment From Anchors, Sexual Assault From Ed Henry. Henry was not terminated because he engaged in sexual misconductFox News was willing to support and promote him knowing that he had engaged in sexual misconduct, read the lawsuit. In addition to Henrys alleged violent sexual misconduct, the lawsuit also claims sexual harassment by Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Howard Kurtz, and Gianno Caldwell. The lawsuit on behalf of John and Joan Cox was filed this week in federal court in New York City. In 2017, one of the networks most high-profile anchors, Bill OReilly, was fired after it was revealed that he, along with Fox, had reached numerous settlements with women accusing him of misconduct. The lawsuit said that Fox knew that Henry who took a four-month leave of absence in 2016 following published reports of his affair with a Las Vegas cocktail However, I simply could not stay silent given the tremendous harm that Mr. Henry and others at Fox News have caused for women affiliated with the company. The lawsuit alleged that Areu was also subjected to inappropriate sexual harassment and retaliation by on-air Fox News personalities Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and Howard Kurtz, as well as Fox News contributor Gianno Caldwell. Russia is planning a major offensive. He also allegedly took pictures of her on his cellphone. Rather, Mr. Henrys employment was terminated because Fox News realized that it was on the precipice of a public relations nightmare and wanted to get out ahead of this suit and be able to claim that it had done the right thing. 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In addition, the Wigdor Firm declined to provide the investigators with any of the emails, texts or other evidence they requested.. That evidence includes graphic photos and other aggressively suggestive communications that Ms. Eckhart sent to Mr. Henry.. The lawsuit alleges Henry sexually harassed both women and raped Eckhart. Henry said some of the conversationrelied on the "false report" from Folkenflik and that Stelter "recklessly republished Mr. Folkenfliks allegation without confirming its authenticity. "Mr. Hannity, on set and in front of the entire studio crew and completely unsolicited threw $100 on the set desk. There were not sexual harassment claims against Ed Henry at Fox News prior to Jennifer Eckharts claim on June 25, 2020, the network added in its statement. Ms. Areu and Jennifer Eckhart can pursue their claims against Ed Henry directly with him, as FOX News already took swift action as soon as it learned of Ms. Eckharts claims on June 25 and Mr. Henry is no longer employed by the network., In response, Willemin wrote in a statement, It is outrageous and contrary to common sense that Fox News purports not to take responsibility for his actions. The MNA stated that although they don't represent the employees at Henry Ford Hospital, they support the vaccine and oppose hospitals enforcing "one-sided policies. Later that day, he ordered her to perform oral sex on him in a guest office at Fox News headquarters in New York. The lawsuit claims that the vaccines only provide "limited immunity" and could be potentially harmful in the long run. When he sent the video and the text, Henry was aware Areu was looking for full-time work at Fox News, according to the lawsuit. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The morning after Ms. Areu rejected Mr. Kurtzs advances, it continued, he refused to meet with her at the studio and curtly said to her, Im booked solid this morning which is why I hoped to connect last night. Mr. Kurtz was punishing Ms. Areu for refusing to join him at his hotel. These statistics are according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is based on alleged reports. As we know having watched the Weinstein trial (and represented many of his victims), that myth simply is not true. You will know when Im done.. Thelawsuit seeks punitive damages and statesthe network's CEO Scott "sandbagged" him with a July 1, 2020, statement saying a former employee had accused Henry of sexual misconduct a week earlier and he was being fired after the findings of an externalinvestigation. Unfortunately, it is actually worse.. In December 2018, after appearing on his show, the complaint alleges that Carlson told Areu "that he would be alone in New York City that night, and specifically said that he would be staying alone in his hotel room without any wife or kids. Fox says it takes all claims of harassment and misconduct seriously. Henry continued to send inappropriate, flirtatious and, at times, sexually graphic text messages to Ms. Eckhart after they first met in the networks New York offices. The lawsuit additionally accused Fox News of willfully downplaying the severity of the allegations against Henry in order to protect the networks reputation. Henryfiled a separate lawsuit the same day against several websites and Twitter handles who shared similar allegations against the former correspondent. In a later statement, a Fox News spokesperson denied the claim that it knew of the claims by Eckhart before June 25. Caldwell then made clear that the price to meet Ms. Coulter would be a date with Mr. Caldwell. The lawsuit said that Fox knew that Henry who took a four-month leave of absence in 2016 following published reports of his affair with a Las Vegas cocktail waitress had engaged in sexual misconduct as far back as 2017. That evidence includes graphic photos and other aggressively suggestive communications that Ms. Eckhart sent to Mr. Henry.. Regarding Henry was released in 1991 but the couple didnt see it until renting the videotape in March 1992. Heres what that might look like. The lawsuit also alleges that nearly 13,000 vaccinated people in the U.S. have died and over 30,000 people have had life-threatening reactions to the vaccine. More than 50 Henry Ford Health System employees have sued in federal court, hoping to stop a Sept. 10 coronavirus vaccine mandate. She declined but invited him to dinner with her and a friend in town, which he declined. The complaint includes a number of graphic text messages that Henry allegedly sent Eckhart following the 2017 incident. Eckhart was the anonymous accuserwhose allegations against Henry led to his firing on July 1, according to the lawsuit. Over time, the lawsuit alleged, Henrys treatment of Eckhart became increasingly violent. There were not sexual harassment claims against Ed Henry at FOX News prior to Jennifer Eckharts claim on June 25, 2020, a Fox spokesperson replied in a statement. I will fight with every fiber of my being, Henry tweeted on Monday evening. "Mr. Henry was not terminated after Fox News "Beyond that, we cannot comment on pending litigation.". A former Fox News reporter and associate producer, along with a frequent guest on the network, have leveled brutal and disturbing sexual-assault allegations against former host Ed Henry as well as harassment allegations against current on-air talent like hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and Howard Kurtz. "Variants will continue to emerge, and surges can happen at any time, anywhere," Riney continued. Areu was a frequent guest on Howard Kurtzs Sunday MediaBuzz program, and Kurtz (a former Daily Beast columnist until 2013) , knowing that she was trying to get a job at Fox News, repeatedly invited her in March and July of 2019 to dinner and drinks, and also to his New York hotel room, the complaint alleged. In the cases of Carlson and Kurtz, Areu believed the men were making sexual advances, the lawsuit said. In a statement obtained by The Metro Times, Henry Ford Hospital defended its stance on the vaccine. The Me Too movement has helped to bring to light a number of injustices in our society, and everyone that has suffered deserves to be heard. In this combination photo, Ed Henry, from left, speaks on "Fox & Friends" on Sept. 6, 2019, in New York, Tucker Carlson arrives for the 60th anniversary celebration of NBC's Meet the Press on Nov. 17, 2007, in Washington and Sean Hannity interviews Roseanne Barr during a taping of his show on July 26, 2018, in New York. The lawsuit names as defendants Paramount Pictures, director and co-producer Mike Nichols, screenplay author Jeffrey Abrams and others. Nothing could be further from the truth, and it is precisely because of these types of attacks that many victims of sexual assault and rape suffer in silence.. Henrys lawyer, Catherine Foti, said Monday that her clients accuser, Jennifer Eckhart, initiated and encouraged a sexual relationship. When she declined his "advances," he refused to meet with her about a job. Based on the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation conducted by an outside law firm, including interviews with numerous eyewitnesses, we have determined that all of Cathy Areus claims against FOX News, including its management as well as its hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity & Howard Kurtz and its contributor Gianno Caldwell, are false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit, Fox News said in a statement. Ed Henry looks forward to presenting actual facts and evidence, which will contradict the fictional accounts contained in the complaint. Mrs. Cox said she doubts he would have had enough life experiences at that age to write the story in such a short time. The filing comes ahead of the September 10 vaccine mandate deadline, which requires all health care works to be vaccinated or risk losing their jobs. Said: `` Like Ms. Eckhart, I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury ( and represented of! 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