Two women have filed a federal lawsuit in New York against Fox News, alleging that the network ignored years of sexual misconduct by its former chief national correspondent, Ed Henry, and that other top personalities sexually harassed a regular guest. The suit, lodged on Monday in the southern district of New York, claims Fox News management failed to act on complaints against Henry dating back to 2017. The network fired Henry earlier this month after details of the alleged behaviour emerged.
The most serious accusations concern former associate producer Jennifer Eckhart, who claims Henry groomed her when she was 24, demanded she be his “sex slave” and “little whore”, and threatened retaliation if she refused. The lawsuit alleges Henry sexually assaulted her on Fox News property and raped her while she was handcuffed at a hotel used by the network. Fox News said Eckhart could pursue her claims directly with Henry, adding that it had taken “swift action” by dismissing him.
Catherine Foti, Henry’s lawyer, said evidence would show that Eckhart “initiated and completely encouraged a consensual relationship”. Eckhart said she hoped her suit would bring “positive change for women at Fox, and for all victims in the workplace”.
The second plaintiff, Cathy Areu, a former regular guest, accuses stars Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Howard Kurtz of sexual harassment. She claims Hannity humiliated her by throwing $100 on a desk and urging male crew members to take her on a date. The suit alleges Carlson made suggestive comments about being alone in his hotel room, and that Kurtz harassed her in July 2019. Fox News said an independent investigation had found Areu’s claims “false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit”.
The lawsuit challenges the network’s assertion that it has reformed since the departure of former chairman Roger Ailes, who resigned in 2016 amid multiple sexual harassment allegations. It states: “Fox News would have the public believe that it is a different place … Unfortunately, it is actually worse.”
