Fox Settles With Former Contributor For $2.5M Over Assault Allegations

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Fox News released a joint statement Wednesday announcing that 21st Century Fox had reached a $2.5 million settlement with former Fox News contributor Tamara Holder, who accused a then executive at the company of sexually assaulting her, The New York Times reported.

Holder accused Francisco Cortes, the vice president for Fox News Latino, of trying to force her to perform oral sex on him in his office in February 2015, the Times reported. She reported the incident last fall and he was terminated. Holder left Fox News after her contract expired on January 1, 2017.

Holder and Fox News released a rare joint public statement about the state of the settlement, reiterating the course of events. The company thanked her for her contributions.

“In September 2016 Fox News contributor Tamara Holder reported an incident of sexual assault at Fox News headquarters from the prior year,” the statement read. “Immediately after Ms. Holder notified Fox News of the alleged incident, the Company promptly investigated the matter and took decisive action, for which Ms. Holder thanks the network. Following the completion of her contract on January 1, 2017, Ms. Holder left the network. Fox News is grateful to Ms. Holder for her many contributions during her tenure at the network and wishes her continued success.”

The settlement follows a $20 million settlement to former host Gretchen Carlson last year and the departure of two popular anchors, Greta Van Sustren and Megyn Kelly.

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