Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was unfairly dismissed from her high profile role on the network after refusing sexual advances from her boss, Roger Ailes.
In a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey civil court on Wednesday, lawyers for Carlson allege Ailes repeatedly dismissed her concerns that her colleagues on Fox & Friends had created a pervasively sexist atmosphere, telling her to learn to “get along with the boys.”
She also alleged that the Fox chairman had fired her without warrant and “sabotaged her career because she refused his sexual advances and she also complained about severe and pervasive sexual harassment.”
Carlson added that having snubbed Ailes advances she was given less and less high profile interviews and saw her regular slot on Bill O’Reilly’s weeknight show axed while also suffering a pay cut before ultimately being fired.
During this time it is alleged that Ailes made it clear her career prospects would be enhanced if she engaged in a “sexual relationship with him”.
Fox Chairman Roger Ailes hit back, stating that the accusations are “defamatory” and “retaliatory for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon line-up.”
A statement issued by 21st Century Fox said the company has seen the allegations. “We take these matters seriously,” it read. “While we have full confidence in Mr. Ailes and Mr. Doocy, who have served the company brilliantly for over two decades, we have commenced an internal review of the matter.”
