Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson will receive a settlement of $20 million as 21st Century Fox moves to quickly end the fallout from Carlson’s sexual harassment lawsuit and the ensuing scandal surrounding former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes.
“I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my Complaint. I’m ready to move on to the next chapter of my life,” said Carlson in a statement posted to her personal website.
First reported by Vanity Fair, the settlement includes an apology from 21st Century Fox:
“21st Century Fox is pleased to announce that we have settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit. During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team.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,” reads a statement. “We know Gretchen will be successful in whatever endeavors she chooses in the future.”
It is unclear whether Roger Ailes will personally be responsible for any of the money paid to Carlson in the settlement.
Ailes, meanwhile, has threatened to sue New York Magazine and writer Gabriel Sherman, who has written extensively about Ailes. The Financial Times reports Ailes hired Charles Harder, who represented Hulk Hogan in his winning defamation suit against Gawker Media. Harder has sent a “demand” letter to Sherman and the magazine asking them to retain all files and correspondence related to Sherman’s reporting. “The letter sent by Harder was not informative as to the substance of their objections to the reporting,” New York said in a statement.