Multiple women who allege that former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes sexually harassed them have recorded audio tapes of conversations with Ailes, according to a report out Monday night from Vanity Fair.
The tapes are likely to take center stage as settlement talks begin with fired Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who sued Ailes for sexual harassment and retaliation on July 6. On Monday, Fox News host Andrea Tantaros, who remains on paid leave from the network, alleged through her lawyer that Ailes also sexually harassed her and that she was sidelined when she spoke up.
Citing two anonymous sources familiar with the tapes, Vanity Fair reported the recordings could push Carlson’s settlement into the eight-figure range, and parent company 21st Century Fox is asking Ailes to personally fund some of the settlement.
Ailes’ attorneys have argued Carlson’s suit should be resolved through closed-door, private arbitration as a provision of her contract.
“If they litigate the case, all the tapes will become public, directly and through others,” one source told Vanity Fair. “Then you will have a parade of women come in. Nobody wants that.”
The former Fox News boss, who reportedly departed with a golden parachute in excess of $40 million, has repeatedly denied allegations of harassment through his legal team.
