Former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros asserts that sexual harassment at the network went beyond ousted chairman Roger Ailes, alleging network executives retaliated and demoted her over her claims, New York reports. Tantaros filed a lawsuit Monday in the New York State Supreme Court claiming "Fox News masquerades as a 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 said she was eventually taken off air for claiming she was being harassed by Ailes, who she says made comments like "[you] really look good in a bikini" and "come over here so I can give you a hug."
"Ailes did not act alone. He may have been the primary culprit, but his actions were condoned by his most senior lieutenants, who engaged in a concerted effort to silence Tantaros by threats, humiliation, and retaliation," the lawsuit says. Tantaros claims she told Fox executive president Bill Shine about the unwanted advances, and was told to "let this one go" and that she "should not fight this.” She also claims she was harassed by host Bill O'Reilly. Tantaros' lawyer says Tantaros was offered seven figures by Fox News if she renounced her claims against the higher-ups.
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Ailes has denied all allegations of sexual harassment; Fox News claims Tantaros breached her contract by writing a book without it being vetted by the company.
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