Fox Conducting Review Into Carlson’s Sex Harassment Claims Against Ailes

Fox News CEO Roger Ailes poses at Fox News in New York , Sept. 29, 2006 photo. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)
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Fox News’ parent company is conducting an “internal review” of former anchor Gretchen Carlson’s sexual harassment claims against CEO and Chairman Roger Ailes, CNN Money reported Wednesday.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Carlson alleged that Ailes routinely asked her to have sex with him, commented on her body, and told her that her future at the company would be brighter if she agreed to his advances. She also claims that her fellow Fox host Steve Doocy subjected her to “sexist” treatment and treated her like a “blond female prop.”

Rupert Murdoch and the two Murdoch sons who run 21st Century Fox, which owns the Fox News Channel, said they have “full confidence” in Ailes and Doocy but will investigate the matter regardless.

“The Company has seen the allegations against Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy,” they said in a joint statement to CNN. “We take these matters seriously. While we have full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy, who have served the company brilliantly for over two decades, we have commenced an internal review of the matter.”

Ailes also denied the allegations in his own statement on Wednesday, arguing that Carlson filed the suit in retaliation for the network’s decision to terminate her employment.

“This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup,” Ailes said. “When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit.”

Doocy has not issued a formal statement.

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