Fox News says Andrea Tantaros is not a 'victim' but an 'opportunist'
NEW YORK—Fox News responded to sexual harassment charges levied against the network by former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros Monday by arguing in a court filing that the broadcaster is "not a victim" but rather "an opportunist."
Tantaros last week filed her lawsuit against the network, former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes and other Fox executives.
The charges came in the wake of an earlier suit filed in July by former Fox News broadcaster Gretchen Carlson, who alleged that the 76-year old Ailes decided not to renew her contract after she refused to have sex with him. Carlson also claimed that Ailes ignored her reports of "disparaging treatment in the newsroom.”
Ailes who has denied the charges, stepped down July 22 and left the conservative-leaning network with a $40 million severance package.
In her own suit, Tantaros said that "Fox News masquerades as defender of traditional family values, but behind the scenes, it operates like a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency, and misogyny."
Tantaros sues Fox News, Ailes for sexual harassment
Her suit claims that Ailes allegedly asked her for a hug and told her to “turn around so I can get a good look at you.” She also said her former boss commented that Tantaros would “look good in a bikini” and asked her about the sexual relationships of other Fox News employees.
Fox News co-president Bill Shine, communications chief Irena Briganti, general counsel Dianne Brandi and executive vice president of programming and development, Suzanne Scott were also named in Tantaros’ suit.
In its formal response, which named all the defendants but Ailes, Fox called the Tantaros complaint baseless, and said she “had all the hallmarks of the `wannabe.’” (Ailes attorney filed a separate motion saying the complaint was full of "lies and half truths.") Fox also indicated that Tantaros was suspended months ago by Fox News for breaching her employment agreement by writing an unauthorized book. The company and Ailes are seeking to resolve the dispute through arbitration rather than the courts.
“Over the last few weeks, 21st Century Fox (Fox News' parent company) has made clear its commitment to providing a safe and dignified workplace at Fox News: by immediately launching an investigation in which women were encouraged to report their experiences under conditions of confidentiality, and by committing to make things right with those women who were not treated with the respect that they and every employee deserve,” the filing read. “But Tantaros is not a victim; she is an opportunist.”
Roger Ailes' exit may help all sexual harassment victims
In an email sent to USA TODAY, Tantaros' attorney, Judd Burstein, responded, “Fox News has all but acknowledged that Roger Ailes did sexually harass Andrea Tantaros because its lawyers are representing every defendant in the suit other than Roger Ailes. If Mr. Ailes were innocent, Fox News would also be defending him. Instead, they have dropped him like the proverbial hot potato in the hope that his former cabal members can continue in place.” Ailes has denied the charges.
Burstein also questioned why the Fox defendants are seeking arbitration: “why do they want this dispute to be resolved in the shadows. An innocent person would be so outraged that he or she would want public vindication.” And he challenged Fox to accept Tantaros’ willingness to take a lie detector test.
Sexual harassment still a reality in the workplace
Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow USA TODAY Tech Columnist @edbaig on Twitter