Fox News anchor files sexual harassment suit against CEO Ailes

by TheHill.com - 07/06/16 11:31 AM ET

Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson has filed a sexual harassment/retaliation lawsuit against CEO Roger Ailes, according to several media reports.

{mosads}Carlson, who hosted “The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson,” alleges she was fired last month because she refused to have sex with Ailes.

Carlson confirmed Wednesday she is no longer with Fox News, though she didn’t comment on the allegations made in the lawsuit.

“As you may have heard, I’m no longer with @FoxNews. I value your support and friendship, so please stay in touch,” Carlson tweeted.

As you may have heard, I’m no longer with @FoxNews. I value your support and friendship so please stay in touch: https://t.co/R7JBTsvYSh

— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) July 6, 2016

Carlson had been with the network since 2005, co-hosting “Fox and Friends” before moving to her new program in 2013.

In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in New Jersey’s Superior Court, Carlson also alleges Ailes shunned and marginalized her during her time at the network.

“When Carlson met with Ailes to discuss the discriminatory treatment to which she was being subjected, Ailes stated: ‘I think 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,’ ” according to the complaint, adding that “sometimes problems are easier to solve” that way.

Carlson’s attorneys claim Ailes ogled Carlson and asked her to “turn around so he could view her posterior.”

He also allegedly commented on Carlson’s legs and told her she was “sexy” but “too much hard work.”

In the lawsuit, Carlson’s attorneys also detailed her time at “Fox and Friends,” claiming co-host Steve Doocy “created a hostile work environment” by treating her in a “sexist and condescending way.”

“Doocy engaged in a pattern and practice of severe and pervasive sexual harassment of Carlson, including, but not limited to, mocking her during commercial breaks, shunning her off air, refusing to engage with her on air, belittling her contributions to the show, and generally attempting to put her in her place by refusing to accept and treat her as an intelligent and insightful female journalist rather than a blond female prop.”

— This report was updated at 11:58 a.m.