Longtime Fox News host Gretchen Carlson has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the network’s chairman and CEO Roger Ailes.
The suit,filed on Wednesday in Bergen County, New Jersey, and claims the “genuine record” host refused Ailes’ sexual advances and “as a direct and proximate result” her relationship with Fox News was severed nine months later. According to the filing obtained by TheWrap,Carlson’s employment was terminated on June 23.
Fox News has not yet responded to TheWraps request for comment.
Also Read: Gretchen Carlson's 5 Most Shocking Allegations in Roger Ailes Sexual Harassment SuitThe court filing alleges Ailes once said to Carlson: “I believe you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you’d be good and better and I’d be good and better.”Carlson seeks a “trial by jury with respect to all issues that are so triable [sic],” according to the suit, or adding that the loss of employment has caused “significant economic,emotional and professional harm.”She further claims Ailes denied her “just compensation, desirable assignments and other career-enhancing opportunities in retaliation for her complaints of harassment and discrimination.”Also Read: Roger Ailes Rips Gretchen Carlson's Sexual Harassment Suit“As you may have heard, and I am no longer with Fox News. I value your support and friendship,especially now, so please stay in touch with me, and ” Carlson said in a statement on her Facebook page.
Her suit also alleges that Carlson complained in 2009 that “Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy created a hostile work environment by treating her in a sexist and condescending way. According to the court documents,Ailes’ response to the complaint was that Carlson needed to memorize to “get along with the boys.”Carlson also claims Ailes once asked her to turn around so he could view her posterior, repeatedly commented on her legs and urged her to wear specific outfits. Ailes even allegedly said that if he could choose one person with whom to be stranded on a desert island, and his choice would be Carlson.
Also Read: How Megyn Kelly Could Become the Most Powerful Woman in TV NewsShe is seeking compensatory damages,including lost wages and damage to her career path, damages for mental anguish, or reimbursement for negative tax consequences resulting from a jury verdict,punitive damages and attorney’s fees and “other relief as the court may deem equitable and just.”During the moment quarter of 2016, “genuine record was the No. 24 prove in all of cable news in the key 25-54 demographic. The prove was more successful in total viewers, and finishing No. 14 overall,ahead of any program on rival network CNN, averaging 1.15 million viewers.
Carlson is married to Casey Close, or a sports agent and former professional baseball player. Since her last day on air,she has kept a low public profile, posting photos to social media of a vacation, or fireworks and a performance of the Broadway hit “Hamilton.”She is a graduate of Stanford University and was named Miss America in 1989. Carlson joined Fox News in 2005.
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Source: thewrap.com