Carlson Settles Suit|Against Ailes for $20M

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Former Fox News Channel anchor Gretchen Carlson settled her sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes for a reported $20 million and a public apology Tuesday, ending the case that triggered the downfall of Fox's chief executive.

Removed to federal court shortly after she filed it in July, Carlson's lawsuit alleged that she was demoted and let go at Fox because she rejected Ailes' sexual advances and complained about workplace harassment.

Twenty-First Century Fox made good on its promise of an apology Tuesday. "We regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve," the company said in a statement.

Though the terms of the agreement were confidential, a person familiar with the settlement who spoke on condition of anonymity said Carlson was paid $20 million.

A winner of the 1989 Miss America pageant, Carlson spent several years on the "Fox & Friends" morning show but was shifted to the afternoon in 2013. Carlson sued shortly after learning in June that her contract wasn't being renewed.

The Stanford University grad said she is ready to move on to the next chapter in her life and promised to work to help women in the workplace. She thanked "all the brave women" who came forward to tell their own stories and others who supported her.

"All women deserve a dignified and respectful workplace," she said.

Ailes, who denied Carlson's allegations when the lawsuit was filed, had no statement Tuesday, his lawyer said.

Carlson's case led Twenty-First Century Fox to launch its own investigation, and other women came forward with stories of being harassed by Ailes, including Fox News star Megyn Kelly. A few women told their stories publicly.

Two weeks later, Ailes was gone, reportedly with a $40 million payout, and is said to be informally advising Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Ailes was hired by Rupert Murdoch to build Fox News from scratch in 1996. He built it into a dominant news network and a force in Republican politics.

Murdoch recently named veteran Fox executives Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine as the network's new co-presidents.

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