Gretchen Carlson Out at Fox News; Files Sexual Harassment Suit Against Roger Ailes

By Chris Ariens 

Gretchen Carlson, who’s spent the last 11 years at Fox News Channel, is no longer with the network and has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against co-founder and chairman Roger Ailes over her termination.

Carlson announced on Twitter that she was no longer with the network and, according to a blockbuster lawsuit, claims Ailes sexually harassed her after she says she went to him following years of complaints of a hostile work environment.

In her complaint–which was filed against Ailes only, and not Fox News Channel or its parent company 21st Century Fox–Carlson says her firing was retaliation for rebuffing Ailes’ sexual advances. According to Carlson, in a meeting last September, Ailes said “I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you’d be good and better and I’d be good and better.” The complaint also accuses Ailes of frequent sexually-charged comments including calling Carlson a “man hater” and someone who tried to “show up the boys.”

Carlson joined Fox News in 2005. She was co-anchor of Fox & Friends for more than 7 years. In 2013, Elisabeth Hasselbeck took her spot on the show and Carlson moved to an early afternoon program called The Real Story. At the time she said, “I am thrilled that Roger Ailes has given me the opportunity to host a signature show for Fox that will focus on the real stories of the day. I look forward to joining viewers in the afternoon for smart and straight-forward talk.” But in her complaint, she said the firing from Fox & Friends was “further retaliation for her refusal to accede to sexual harassment and retaliation.”

Her last day on Fox News was June 23, which was the same day her contract expired, according to her lawyers. Carlson is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, and damages for mental anguish.

Carlson, who was Miss America 1989, is married to Casey Close, a sports agent and former professional baseball player. Carlson is represented by the New Jersey law firm of Smith Mullin. We’ve reached out to Fox News for a comment.

Here is the complaint:

Gretchen Carlson Complaint by tvnewser on Scribd

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