1/3. Ms. "Fox News continues to protect and rewardperpetrators of sexual harassment and refuses to take accountability for putting such persons inpositions of power from which they can subject women to sexual misconduct, sexual assault and, in the case of Ms. Eckhart, rape. In addition to Henrys alleged violent sexual misconduct, the lawsuit also claims sexual harassment by Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Howard Kurtz, and Gianno Caldwell. On Wednesday, Henry Ford Hospital employees filed a lawsuit against Henry Ford Hospital in U.S. District Court. Henry Ford responded to the lawsuit by defending its vaccine requirement, saying in a statement shared with The Hill, We remain confident that vaccination is the The network denied knowing of sexual misconduct by Henry before this year. Henry Hodges, who was sentenced to death for the 1990 killing of a telephone repairman, filed a lawsuit last October accusing the state of providing Newsweek has reached out to Henry Ford Hospital for further comments. Eckhart's complaint alleges that Henry "preyed upon, manipulated and groomed her," coercing her into sexual intercourse. Since coming on board as CEO in 2018, Suzanne Scott has worked to create a different atmosphere, an acknowledgement that the factors behind Ailes ouster had negative effects on employees. The filing comes ahead of the September 10 Kurtz allegedly invited Areu to his hotel room on July 9, 2019, while he was in New York City. Weeks after Henry's firing in 2020,the former employee who made the complaint that resulted in his oustersued him, alleging rape. The Time's Up Legal Defense Fund is supporting a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Fox News and several of its anchors, including Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity. The network said it moved aggressively to change its ways after former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes and star Bill OReilly lost their job because of accusations by women. Fox News was trying to avoid taking accountability for what actually happened; namely, that one of its most prominent on-air personalities with a history of multiple sexual harassment complaints sexually assaulted and raped Ms. Eckhart, the suit states. One former Fox News staffer and one frequent on-air guest at the network filed suit in federal court Monday, alleging they had been harassed individually by Ed Henry, the Fox News anchor who was fired by the cable-news outlet earlier this month following a complaint about willful sexual misconduct in the workplace, and their disclosures threaten to revive an era that the Fox Corp.-owned media company had hoped to put behind it after the ouster of Roger Ailes. According to the complaint, Henry also sent numerous texts suggesting that she have sex with him. But it was the accusations made by Eckhart, a former employee, that led to the anchors dismissal. Eckhart, who was 24 at the time, said the 49-year-old Henry restrained her with metal handcuffs, took nude pictures of her and raped her in a hotel room. Eventually, after one meeting at a hotel, ostensibly to discuss her career prospects, Eckhart recalled relenting to Henrys advances, fearing that her career would be over if she refused Mr. Henry.. Being targeted again by Douglas Wigdors law firm, well known for its pursuit of sexual misconduct cases, is an uncomfortable rerun for Fox. The lawsuit on behalf of John and Joan Cox was filed this week in federal court in New York City. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Good long session last time, he wrote just after 10 a.m. in another series of texts. The lawsuit, filed by Douglas Wigdor and Michael Willemin on behalf of Jennifer Eckhart and Cathy Areu, also alleges Fox News supported and promoted Henry after receiving complaints of sexually inappropriate behavior and only fired him earlier this month because they were aware of an impending lawsuit. The lawsuit also claims sexual advances by Carlson, Kurtz and Caldwell that Areu spurned, which the suit alleges led the hosts to cut down on her appearances on their shows. The lawsuit asserts Fox executives knew that Henry had been accused of sexual misconduct long before June 25. Some of the names in leadership may have changed since Roger Ailes regime, but Fox News institutional apathy towards sexual misconduct has not., According to the complaint, Eckhart alleged that Henry, who is married, groomed, psychologically manipulated and coerced her into a sexual relationship in which he referred to her as his sex slave. Additionally, the lawsuit claimed, when she would not comply voluntarily, [Henry] sexually assaulted her on office property, and raped her at a hotel where Fox News frequently lodged its visiting employees., The relationship began in 2014, according to the lawsuit, after Henry, who is two decades older than Eckhart, messaged her on Twitter telling her that he thought she was beautiful. From there, the lawsuit claimed, Ms. Ed Henry was terminated after Fox News received a complaint on June 25 from a former employee's attorney. "NPR stands behind David Folkenfliks reporting and will vigorously defend it against this meritless claim," said Isabel Lara, NPRs executive director of communications, in a statement. The Me Too movement has helped to bring to light a number of injustices in our society, and everyone that has suffered deserves to be heard, Foti said. She compared the movie with her manuscript; the lawsuit claims there are at least 108 similarities. The lawsuit said that Fox knew that Henry who took a four-month leave of absence in 2016 following published reports of his affair with a Las Vegas cocktail waitress had engaged in sexual misconduct as far back as 2017. He also allegedly took pictures of her on his cellphone. Henry Ford Chief Operating Officer Robert G. Riney spoke with The Detroit News in June regarding Henry Ford hospital's decision to mandate the vaccine. It says that Fox News was notified on June 25 that Eckhart retained legal counsel in connection with allegations of assault and rape against Henry. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The lawsuit filed in New York describes Areus discomfort with a March 2018 incident on the set of Hannitys show where the host allegedly put $100 on a desk and challenged the men on his staff to take her out on a date. She had appeared on Carlsons show at least 17 times in 2018 but just three times in 2019 and not once in 2020, according to the lawsuit. In 2019, she said Kurtz invited her to his hotel room to discuss her hope of getting a full-time job at Fox. The evidence in this case will demonstrate that Ms. Eckhart initiated and completely encouraged a consensual relationship.". The network rejected Henry's argument in a statement to USA TODAY. The lawsuit said that Fox knew that Henry who took a four-month leave of absence in 2016 following published reports of his affair with a Las Vegas cocktail waitress had engaged in sexual misconduct as far back as 2017. I chose to file this complaint because no woman should have to suffer the conduct to which I was subjected, much less the egregious conduct suffered by Ms. Eckhart, said Cathy Areu, a frequent guest on Fox News programs and shows that run on Fox Nation, the companys streaming service. Specifically, Ms. Areu asked, Can I take you two for lunch, and Mr. Caldwell responded, Take me to lunch. Ms. Areu ignored this request as well, and Mr. Caldwell never introduced her to Ms. Coulter., Cathy Areu said in a statement: Like Ms. Eckhart I was too fearful to come forward. On one occasion, he told her to remove her underwear and deliver it to him in an envelope. It also alleges that Carlson in December 2018 told Areu he would be alone in New York City that night in a hotel room without his wife or kids. This is not one of those cases. In a series of messages, Henry states Whatever When u r owned U dont get a Choice, to which Eckhart responded You dont own me., The lawsuit also accused Fox Newss announcement of Henrys firing of being completely disingenuous and of downplaying the severity of the allegations by characterizing Henrys actions as merely sexual misconduct. . The lawsuit further alleged that Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell repeatedly pressed Areu to date him, using the possibility of an introduction to his friend Ann Coulter as a lure. The lawsuit also includes text messages from Henry to Eckhart, which the suit states were shared with Fox News. hide caption. Henrys attorney Catherine Foti denied the allegations against Henry. A former Fox News reporter and associate producer, along with a frequent guest on the network, have leveled brutal and disturbing sexual-assault allegations against former host Ed Henry as well as harassment allegations against current on-air talent like hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and Howard Kurtz. Mr. Caldwell wrote, Ann is my friend. Mr. Caldwell, who knew that Ms. Areu would have loved the opportunity to meet and work with Ms. Coulter, used this fact to attempt to coerce Ms. Areu into dating him. In a later statement, a Fox News spokesperson denied the claim that it knew of the claims by Eckhart before June 25. In the cases of Carlson and Kurtz, Areu believed the men were making sexual advances, the lawsuit said. I currently have another lawsuit in the courts, after Illinois federal judges have ignored every other lawsuit I've filed! Foti said Henry had received graphic photos and suggestive messages from Eckhart. Fuck you and your safe word, he wrote in one message. On another occasion, Eckhart alleged, Henry violently raped her while she was handcuffed, only after he took nude photos of her without her consent. Pictured above are four Henry Ford health care workers in front of Henry Ford Hospital on April 8, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. More than 50 Henry Ford Health System employees have sued in federal court, hoping to stop a Sept. 10 coronavirus vaccine mandate. Gutting IRS Will Help Wealthy Avoid More Taxes | Opinion, Eliminating Income Tax Means More Money for Americans | Opinion. Two women filed a lawsuit against Fox News that named network stars Hannity, Carlson and Ed Henry. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. She declined but invited him to dinner with her and a friend in town, which he declined. These statistics are according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is based on alleged reports. Ed Henry looks forward to presenting actual facts and evidence, which will contradict the fictional accounts contained in the complaint. Ms. Areu has only appeared approximately three times on 'Media Buzz' following her rejection of Mr. Kurtzs advances," the lawsuit says. ", Along with Riney's comments, the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) issued a statement to The Detroit News regarding the September 10 deadline. Because that condition is unreasonable, as evidence cannot be suppressed or hidden in this manner in litigation, our investigators were not given access to speak to either plaintiff. The network released a memo on July 1 stating that Henry had been fired after an investigation into a complaint about willful sexual misconduct in the workplace., In a statement Fox News said Areu and Eckhart can pursue claims against Henry directly with him, as FOX News already took swift action as soon as it learned of Ms. Eckharts claims on June 25 and Mr. Henry is no longer employed by the network.. Earlier, in September 2015, the lawsuit says, Eckhart says Henry forced her to perform oral sex in a guest office on the 17th floor of the Fox News building. In an interview with Vogue magazine, Abrams claimed he wrote the script in two weeks when he was 23. Based on investigative findings, Ed has been terminated, the executives said. Mrs. Cox wrote a manuscript about their experience and sent it to several agents and publishers in the late 1980s, but it was always returned, the lawsuit says. There were not sexual harassment claims against Ed Henry at FOX News prior to Jennifer Eckharts claim on June 25, 2020, the spokesperson said. The suit also alleges Henry sent other inappropriate texts, including messages suggesting Areu have sex with him. The morning after, Kurtz refused to meet with her at the studio and shortly after told her youre the only woman who wont come to my hotel room, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit names as defendants Paramount Pictures, director and co- producer Mike Nichols, screenplay author Jeffrey Abrams and others. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Following his termination, Henry's attorney Catherine Foti said, "Ed Henry denies the allegations referenced in the Fox announcement and is confident that he will be vindicated after a full hearing in an appropriate forum.. "We remain confident that vaccination is the most powerful tool we all have against the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement read. It is widely documented in the public record that Fox News has not only cultivated and fostered sexual harassment and misconduct, but has consistently accepted and rewarded it. Why updating particulate matter standards is critical to protecting health, Minnesota inches toward LGBTQ conversion therapy ban, South Carolina labor leader pushes back on criticism of Biden primary shake-up, Santos accused of taking $3K from GoFundMe for veterans dying dog, Senate Democrat calls for investigation of mass money transfer surveillance, Musk says Biden may try to weaponize government against Twitter if Trump returns, Jon Stewart on Santos: We cannot mistake absurdity for lack of danger, White House calls New Mexico shootings targeting Democratic officials shocking and horrifying, CNN considers prime-time comic host as Gutfeld thrives on Fox, The Views Behar says Biden should admit to hypocrisy over classified docs, Kellyanne Conway in NYT op-ed: A fools errand to write off Trump in 2024. Regarding Henry is the story of a New York lawyer, played by Harrison Ford, who suffers brain damage and amnesia after being shot in the head during a robbery. As NPR's David Folkenflik reported earlier this month, Henry was promoted despite one of his colleagues having warned senior executives that reinstating him could damage Fox's efforts at reforming its workplace culture. 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", Fox News, in its statement, insisted that the network takes "all claims of harassment, misconduct and retaliation seriously, promptly investigating them and taking immediate action as needed in this case, the appropriate action based on our investigation is to defend vigorously against these baseless allegations.". The evidence in this case will demonstrate that Ms. Eckhart initiated and completely encouraged a consensual relationship. A lawsuit filed by two women in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Monday accuses former Fox News chief national correspondent Ed Henry of raping one of them while the other plaintiff alleges she was sexually harassed by network hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Howard Kurtz. AP Fox said Eckharts case is with Henry, since the network moved swiftly to fire him. On ExpressNews.com: Thomas J. Henry, law firm among defendants in lawsuit filed by alleged sexual assault victim She accused Henry, Thomas J. Henry Law More: Fox News fined $1 million in New York City settlement of sexual harassment allegations Henry's lawsuit against Fox News came a day after the New York City Commission on Human Rights fined Fox News $1 million in a settlement stemming from a sexual harassment investigation, the highest civil penalty in the commission's history. Fox said there were no sexual harassment claims against Henry until they learned about Eckharts allegations last month. White House rips appointment of extreme MAGA members to House Oversight panel, Trump trounces DeSantis in potential GOP primary match-up, new poll finds, McCarthy goes on attack against red-state Senate Democrats, White House charges GOP with hypocrisy on Trump, Biden. "The association's registered nurses strongly encourage everyone to choose to get vaccinated to protect their families and themselves.". We take all claims of harassment, misconduct and retaliation seriously, promptly investigating them and taking immediate action as needed in this case, the appropriate action based on our investigation is to defend vigorously against these baseless allegations. In 2016, Henry was demoted by the network from his job as White House correspondent and took a leave of absence following allegations of an extramarital affair with a Las Vegas hostess and stripper. Eckhart's suit, which seeks a monetary award, also alleges that Henry violated federal sex trafficking laws. Ed Henry looks forward to presenting actual facts and evidence, which will contradict the fictional accounts contained in the complaint. Cox, a lawyer in Evansville, also suffered severe head injuries and amnesia, in a 1979 motorcycle accident. Disclosure: Ed Henry is married to NPR Chief Washington Editor Shirley Henry. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The lawsuit alleges that Henry, approximately twice Eckharts age, had preyed upon, manipulated and groomed Eckhart since she was 24. FormerFox News anchorGretchen Carlson, one of thewomen who came forward with allegations against Ailes, got a reported $20 million settlement in 2016 after she sued the network, claiming Ailes demoted then fired her when she rejected his sexual advances. Caldwell then made clear that the price to meet Ms. Coulter would be a date with Mr. Caldwell. She sued Fox, too, and claimed network executives knew of his alleged behavior and ignored it. regarding "willful sexual misconduct in the workplace years ago." "Since the data show the vaccines work and the Food and Drug Administration is expected soon to grant permanent approval of the COVID-19 vaccines, Henry Ford has decided to mandate COVID vaccination by September 10. However, he returned to Fox News later that year, taking a position as chief national correspondent. A frequent guest on Carlson's show in 2017 and 2018, the lawsuit says he tried to proposition her to join him alone in a hotel room in December 2018, and when she refused he "promptly retaliated against Ms. Areu, whowas featured on his show only three times in 2019 and has not appeared once in 2020.". It also says he took naked photos of Eckhart without her consent before the alleged assault. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and damages. In Thursday's lawsuit, Henry pointed to a tweet from Folkenflik,which reported that in 2017, Fox executives were warned about a history of misconduct from Henry, which the former White House correspondent said was defamatory and framed him in a "false light.".