Fox News sexual harassment

Former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros sues for sexual harassment

By KELSEY SUTTON

Andrea Tantaros, a former Fox News host, has filed suit against the channel and several of its executives, alleging a culture of “misogyny” and “intimidation” that allowed for Tantaros to be sexually harassed.

The suit comes in the wake of former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson’s public allegations of sexual harassment at the cable news channel. But while Carlson’s suit named Fox News CEO Roger Ailes as the sole defendant, prompting his resignation, Tantaros has also named the channel and several of its highest ranking executives, including Bill Shine, the network’s newly appointed co-president, and Irena Briganti, the network’s public relations chief.

“[T]his Complaint is not just about Ailes; it also gives life to the saying that ‘the fish stinks from the head,’” the complaint, filed in New York State Supreme Court, reads. “For Ailes did not act alone. He may have been the primary culprit, but his actions were condoned by his most senior lieutenants, who engaged in a concerted effort to silence Tantaros by threats, humiliation, and retaliation.”

The suit also names Dianne Brandi, Fox News’ EVP of business and legal affairs, and Suzanne Scott, Fox News’ EVP of programming and development.

The 37-page complaint (you can view a PDF here), obtained by POLITICO, details numerous instances of sexual harassment and inappropriate comments that Tantaros was allegedly subjected to from Ailes, Fox News employees and Fox News guests. Tantaros also alleges a laundry list of inappropriate comments she said Ailes made about other Fox News employees.

The complaint also alleges that Tantaros was subjected to a sustained negative media campaign orchestrated by Briganti and Fox News’ media relations team. According to the suit, when Tantaros went to Shine and other executives to complain about the harassment and about the negative media campaign, they repeatedly brushed off her concerns.

A spokesperson for Fox News said that the network does not comment on pending litigation. Briganti did not respond to a request for comment about the suit and its allegations. Neither did Susan Estrich, the Fox News contributor and attorney who is representing Ailes.

Tantaros alleges that she was sexually harassed by Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and Fox News correspondent John Roberts, although they are not named as defendants in the suit. She also alleges that a number of Fox News guests, including former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, treated her inappropriately.

When reached by POLITICO, Brown said the allegations were "completely and totally false."
"I had little, if any contact with Ms. Tantaros and always treated her and every other employee at FOX with professionalism," he told POLITICO.

Much of the conduct alleged in Tantaros’ suit mirrors some of the treatment that Carlson said she was subjected to at the network. Tantaros, for instance, alleges she was made to “twirl” in front of Ailes, who she said made suggestive comments about her body. And like Carlson, who alleges she was demoted from “Fox & Friends” for rebuffing Ailes’ advances, Tantaros alleges that she was booted off the weekday program “The Five” in retaliation for her response to the treatment about which she allegedly complained.

After Carlson’s suit, filed in July, 21st Century Fox launched an internal investigation to look into the claims. A number of women have come forward, alleging that Ailes subjected them to sexual harassment while they were at the company, while several Fox News employees have said they did not see sexual harassment. After Ailes resigned, reportedly under pressure from executives, Bill Shine was promoted to co-president of the news channel.

Carlson's attorneys did not return several requests for comment about reaching a settlement with Ailes. Tantaros' attorney, Judd Berstein, said that he and Tantaros would not speak to the press at this time.