Report: Fox in Settlement Talks With Gretchen Carlson

By Mark Joyella 

Talks are reportedly underway between 21st Century Fox and former Fox News Channel host Gretchen Carlson over a settlement of Carlson’s sexual harassment lawsuit against former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes.

According to a report Monday evening by Vanity Fair, the company is asking Ailes to fund at least a portion of the settlement, described as reaching to eight figures:

At issue in the settlement talks is the existence of audio tapes recorded by multiple women in conversation with Ailes, two people familiar with the tapes said. Ailes’ lawyers have argued that any negotiation with Carlson should take place in private arbitration, but the specter of a public trial looms. “If they litigate the case, all the tapes will become public, directly and through others,” this person said. “Then you will have a parade of women come in. Nobody wants that.” (Ailes, through his lawyer, denied all allegations.)

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