Ailes is negotiating terms of his departure that include he's staying on in a consulting role for the company after Megyn Kelly told investigators that Ailes sexually harassed her.
- Jul 20, 2016
AceShowbiz - Roger Ailes' departure from Fox News is just a matter of time. Following some sexual harassment claims made against him, he is negotiating his exit as Fox News chief. Matt Drudge posted on his website The Drudge Report an alleged draft of a separation agreement as a source said, "With internal allegations mounting, it was deemed time for him to go."
Ailes' lawyer Susan Estrich now confirms that talks of his departure are indeed ongoing. Asked what he demands from the exit agreement, she coyly says, "As you know, exit agreements can take all kinds of different forms, including agreements that provide for continuing roles." Another report said that Ailes would stay on in a consulting role for Fox News.
Fox News' parent company 21st Century Fox has hired New York law firm Paul, Weiss to investigate harassment claims made by a string of women against Ailes since former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit on July 6 claiming she was let go from Fox News on June 23 after rebuffing Ailes' sexual advances. Several other women who made similar claims included FNC hosts Greta Van Susteren and Maria Bartiromo as well as Fox News star Megyn Kelly.
Kelly allegedly told investigators that Ailes had made unwanted sexual advances toward her about ten years ago when she was a young correspondent at Fox. Her revelations to investigators contrast with statements she made two months ago about working with Ailes. She said at the time, "The number of times he's had my back, given me opportunities, stuck his own neck out there to protect me, I feel very grateful to him. And I feel loyal to him."
Ailes' lawyer Ms. Estrich has denied Kelly's claim. She said in a statement, "Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him."
Asked if Ailes feels betrayed by Kelly, Estrich responds, "I think everybody was surprised because Roger has spent the last 10 years helping Megyn Kelly become the star that she is," but he doesn't feel betrayed. "He simply says he never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly and that they had enormous amounts of encounters over the years in which he consistently helped her become a stronger and more popular, more successful television anchor. "
