Fox News has 'parted ways' with legal analyst Andrew Napolitano after sexual harassment investigation
Fox News dropped longtime legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano after a 27-year-old associate producer complained he had "sexually harassed numerous young male employees during his tenure at Fox News," according to a legal complaint filed Monday, Variety reports. The associate producer, John Fawcett, says he told Fox News HR about Napolitano's alleged misconduct but the network did not take any immediate action. Napolitano has not appeared on Fox News in several months.
Fox News disputed Fawcett's characterization in a statement Monday, saying it "immediately investigated the claims and addressed the matter with both parties," taking "immediate, appropriate action." Fox News also said "the network and Judge Napolitano have since parted ways," adding: "We take all allegations of misconduct seriously, are committed to providing a safe, transparent, and collaborative workplace environment for all our employees."
Fawcett first worked on Lou Dobbs' Fox Business show until it was canceled, then moved to Larry Kudlow's show. In his complaint, Fawcett also said Kudlow "used ethnic slurs and made sexually inappropriate comments about women in front of multiple staff members" and "blocked a congressman from appearing as a guest on his program because of the congressman's race." Fox News called these allegations, plus sex-discrimination charges against a female Kudlow senior producer, "completely baseless and nothing more than a desperate attempt at a payday."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Fawcett is represented by Ty Clevenger, the attorney who, Variety notes, "also works on behalf of Ed Henry, a former Fox News anchor who was dismissed from Fox last year after an investigation into his conduct."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published