Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Fox News Quietly Settles Sexual Harassment Suit Former Host Juliet Huddy Filed Against Bill O"Reilly: Report


Juliet Huddy, Kerry Drew, Teresa Priolo, Ines Rosales & Rosanna Scotto (9-07-16)

Around the same time that Roger Ailes stepped down from his role as Fox News CEO in July amid Gretchen Carlsons sexual harassment lawsuit, the network had been hit with yet another sexual misconduct allegation this time against host Bill OReilly and Fox News Co-President Jack Abernethy.

Fox News cameto a quiet settlement after former host Juliet Huddy claimed sexual harassment against the networks top host and a longtime executive, according to Lawnewz.com.

According to an intent to sue letter obtained by the site, Huddy, 47, claimed thatOReilly propositioned her on multiple occasions, including attemptingto kiss her during a visit tohis home and making inappropriate phone calls to her.

In the letter, Huddysaid when she refused to comply with OReillys advances, she was booted from the show despite having one of the highest rated segments, the site states.

As for Abernethy (who was recentlyappointed co-president of Fox News), Huddy claimed that he constantly calledher at the office and asking her to come by his office.

According to the site, Huddy, through her attorney, sent Fox News thenotice several weeks after Ailes was ousted from the network in July.

In a statement to PEOPLE, a Fox News spokesperson noted, Juliet Huddys letter of intent to sue contained substantial falsehoods which both men vehemently denied.

A person briefed on the situation said that the company was aware of Huddys false allegations when they signed Abernethy to a new multi-year deal in September 2016.

Jeanne M. Christensen, a lawyer for Ms. Huddy at Wigdor L.L.P., declined to comment.

Huddy, who joined Fox in 1998, made her exit from Fox News in July 2016 and moved toFox-owned New York affiliate Fox 5 New York, where she anchored the 4:30 a.m. time slot.

Her departure came as a bit of a shock, considering her close relationship with Ailes. On the same day that she announced her departure from Fox News, the former host took to social media to express gratitude to Ailes.

Thank you, Roger Ailes for being a wonderful boss and mentor. I will always appreciate what youve done for me. Again, THANK YOU, she tweeted in July.

But Huddys time at Fox 5 New York was short-lived. The anchor left the network in early September.

I finally after years of working in television understand what it feels to be connected to a community, she said during herlast morning segmenton Fox 5. It is time for me now to move on.

Huddy has yet address the allegations publicly.

source: http://people.com/celebrity/fox-news-quietly-settles-sexual-harassment-suit-former-host-juliet-huddy-bill-oreilly/

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