After Resigning From Fox News, Ailes Is Reportedly Barred From the Building, But He Gets a $40 Million Consolation Prize

July 22, 2016

After Resigning From Fox News, Ailes Is Reportedly Barred From the Building, But He Gets a $40 Million Consolation Prize

Media Reports Say Roger Ailes Negotiating Departure Terms At Fox News

Security stands in front of Fox News chairman Roger Ailes as he leaves the News Corp building, July 19, 2016. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Roger Ailes, the powerful and controversial CEO of Fox News, is out of a job. Ailes, who started the network and spent 20 years at its helm, stepped down Thursday after an internal investigation and weeks of sexual-harassment allegations sparked by a lawsuit filed by former Fox News personality Gretchen Carlson. Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, will take over as acting CEO.

Sources

NYT 21st Century Fox

Roger Ailes, the powerful and controversial CEO of Fox News, is out of a job. Ailes, who started the network and spent 20 years at its helm, stepped down Thursday after an internal investigation and weeks of sexual-harassment allegations sparked by a lawsuit filed by former Fox News personality Gretchen Carlson. Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, will take over as acting CEO.

Ailes’s ouster seemed imminent before the formal announcement Thursday as the investigation into the sexual-harassment claims heated up and more accusers stepped forward, including from Fox News’ biggest new star, Megyn Kelly. Kelly, who said Ailes harassed her as a young Fox New correspondent, also encouraged at least one colleague to come forward. Ailes wasn’t likely to escape the fallout this time, as New York’s Gabriel Sherman reported earlier this week:

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Ailes Out at Fox News, $40M Golden Parachute

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