Roger Ailes on Thursday resigned as chairman and chief executive of Fox News Channel following allegations of sexual harassment, an abrupt end to his 20-year reign over America’s most lucrative and powerful cable news channel for conservatives.
Ailes, 76, who has been chairman and CEO of Fox News since 1996, faces sexual assault charges from Gretchen Carlson, who worked at Fox News for more than a decade.Carlson’s attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, reported that 20 additional women have reached out to her firm to report being harassed by Ailes as well. Prominent Fox News personality Megyn Kellythis weekcame forward and said Ailes sexually harassed her 10years ago.
According to Carlson’s lawsuit, “Ailes has unlawfully retaliated against Carlson and sabotaged her career because she refused his sexual advances and complained about severe and pervasive sexual harassment.”
