Gretchen Carlson, the former Fox News personality who in July filed a sexual harassment suit against recently ousted chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, is walking away with a hefty settlement.
According to a report by Vanity Fair, 21st Century Fox has agreed to settle with Carlson for a staggering $20 million. The company on Tuesday confirmed that a deal had been reached and offered a public apology:
21st Century Fox is pleased to announce that it has settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.
In response, Carlson issued the following statement:
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I am gratified that 21st Century Fox took decisive action after I filed my complaint. I’m ready to move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble my efforts to empower women in the workplace. I want to thank all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories and the many people across the country who embraced and supported me in their #StandWithGretchen. All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace in which talent, hard work and loyalty are recognized, revered and rewarded.
Ailes resigned from Fox News on July 21, just two weeks after Carlson first filed paperwork claiming she was fired for rejecting unsolicited sexual advances. At the time, 21st Century Fox’s executive chairman Rupert Murdoch issued a statement acknowledging the “remarkable contribution” Ailes had made to both “our company and our country,” claiming the founding CEO of Fox News shared his “vision of a great and independent television organization and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years.”
