The judge rejects Fox News from the sexual assault process against the former star

The federal judge dismissed the Fox News Media from a lawsuit filed by former business producer Fox Jennifer Eckhart against the network and her former star, Anchor and correspondent Ed Henry.

Fox released Henry in July 2020 After an external investigation in the “intentional improper sexual procedure in the workplace” caused by the internal complaint, Eckhart filed on the web. In her later civil trial this month, she claimed that Henry raped her and harassed her sexually for years, promising to develop her career in exchange for sex and care and forcing her to do so. She claimed that Fox News should have known about Henry’s alleged behavior and took steps to stop it.

Eckhart’s lawsuit appeared on the heels of the #metoo movement. Fox was in its epicenter: A wave of apparitions Episodes of ubiquitous sexual harassment led to a shock on the web. Fox and its controlling owners, Murdoch, released management and stars and took a number of initiatives that, he said, would change culture.

Eckhart’s lawsuit stated that Fox “still protects and rewards the perpetrators of sexual harassment and refuses to responsibility for placing such people in the positions of power.” She also claimed that her shooting at the beginning of this year was based on a pretext. But Fox provided documentation indicating that she released it to poor performance, including often late to work – US District Judge Ronnie Abrams found supported evidence.

Henry, now anchor in the smaller right -wing competitors of Fox, a newborn, argued that everything that happened between him and Eckhart was consistent and that he would be confirmed in court.

Abrams, based in Manhattan, maintained Fox’s claims that he could not know that “Henry would attack Eckhart because he did not learn about his alleged improper behavior only later.”

“We are satisfied with the court’s decision, which speaks for itself,” said Fox News in a statement issued by the spokesperson.

“After knowing the allegations of Jennifer Eckhart in 2020, Fox News immediately conducted an investigation by an external independent law firm and ended Ed Henry within six days,” added Fox. “The discovery in this case confirmed that Fox News was not aware of their relationship or allegations of Mrs. Eckhart until she left the company. The only people who know what happened between Mr. Henry and Mrs. Eckhart are two of them. ”

Former manufacturer FOX claims that he will appeal against the decision

Eckhart said she would appeal to the release of Fox News from her trial.

“This fight is greater than me,” Eckhart said in a statement. “It’s about changing corporate culture, which still enables abuse, fear, intimidation and silence.”

She said she was grateful, that Abrams allowed most of his case against Henry to continue; The judge stated that her allegations could convince the “reasonable jury.” The process is to start on May 12.

Details of her accusations are gloomy and disturbing. In court files, he claims that Henry forced her to have oral sex at him at the headquarters of Fox News in New York; She claims that two years later he shared her as part of what her legal team called “a violent, painful rape” in a room in a hotel in Manhattan. Eckhart also claimed that Henry violated sexual trade regulations, encouraging her to have sex in exchange for help in her career.

Judge Abrams dismissed Eckart’s claim for “Porn Revenge” against Henry. His legal syndrome submitted sexually clear photos that he sent him to strengthen his argument that the sexual relationship was consistent.

At that time, Henry was suspended in 2016 by the chairman of Fox, Roger Ailes, when Tabloid Reports revealed his relationship with the Las Vegas hostess. FOX Vice President for Human Resources, Kevin Lord, testified that Henry participated in the “Sexual Rehabilitation Center” before returning. (Fox News “insists” to simply “suggest (ed.)” In which Henry participates, the judge wrote.)

A series of allegations regarding sexual harassment

Ailes was released in the summer of 2016 after the former host Gretchen Carlson filed complaints about sexual harassment and improper behavior towards him and many other former and current employees and then with your own. Ailes died in 2017.

Other Fox stars were soon forced to have related allegations, including Primetime Star Bill O’ReillyCorrespondent James Rosen and executive director Francisco Cortes. All save Rosen denied the allegations; He did not turn to the accusations When the NPR first revealed their.

Fox, his insurers and O’Reilly reached agreements on paying sums Over $ 200 million Determine the common statements of sexual harassment and overtake some accused, including Ailes and O’Reilly.

Henry not only returned to the air, but was promoted, eventually becoming co -hosting the morning show America’s newsroom.

In 2017, a colleague warned older Fox managers against providing Henry with a greater importance on the web, as this may damage Fox’s efforts regarding cultural reform in the workplace.

In the case of Eckhart Fox, he definitely rejected any knowledge about Henry’s actions and assault. Eckhart admitted that she did not clearly reveal what she claims was routine harassment of her by men, and not only by Henry until she was released; However, she cited the “toxic” work environment at an earlier meeting about her work.

At the time of the claim in 2020, Fox said that “all claims for harassment, improper behavior and retaliation seriously, their examination and taking immediate actions as needed – in this case, the right action based on our investigation is energetic defense against these unfounded allegations.”

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