Fox News Host Says He’s A “Target”
A scalding New York Times report today claims Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly has cost the network $13 million in sexual harassment settlements with five women, including two that followed the departure last summer of chairman Roger Ailes.
The Times report by Emily Steel and Michael S. Schmidt follows their investigation that found five women “who have received payouts from either Mr. O’Reilly or the company in exchange for agreeing to not pursue litigation or speak about their accusations against him.”
According to the Times, the five women either worked for O’Reilly or appeared on his show, and “have complained about a wide range of behavior, including verbal abuse, lewd comments, unwanted advances and phone calls in which it sounded as if Mr. O’Reilly was masturbating.”
“The reporting suggests a pattern: As an influential figure in the newsroom, Mr. O’Reilly would create a bond with some women by offering advice and promising to help them professionally. He then would pursue sexual relationships with them, causing some to fear that if they rebuffed him, their careers would stall.”
READ THE FULL STORY HERE OR THE ORIGINAL STORY AT THE N.Y. TIMES WEBSITE HERE
On the positive side, Billo and Fox are spreadin’ the wealth around. But I better not pun around about “trickle down economics.”