A lawsuit filed against Fox News on Monday accused former host Ed Henry of rape and three others of sexual harassment: Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and Howard Kurtz.
What We Know:
- The lawsuit was brought by Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox Business Network producer, and Cathy Areu, a journalist who made appearances on Fox News. Eckhart alleged that Henry had been interested in a sexual relationship since 2014 and forced her into violent sexual acts several times. According to the lawsuit, Fox News fired Eckhart in 2020 after notifying HR that she experienced “a toxic work environment”. Areu also alleged being sexually harassed by Henry, Hanntiy, Carlson, and Kurtz.
- According to Eckhart, Henry was persistent in pursuing a sexual relationship with her. In one instance, the two had sex after drinking one night and Eckhart said she feared “that her career would be over if she refused”. In 2015, Eckhart alleged that Henry forced her to perform oral sex on him at the Fox News New York City headquarters. In 2017, the lawsuit says that Henry invited Eckhart to his hotel room to “discuss her career,” which she agreed to “out of concern for her job”. The lawsuit continues to state that Henry proceeded to handcuff Eckhart, take nude photos of her while she “pleaded for him to stop,” and raped her while “violently hitting her in the face multiple times”.
- The lawsuit also describes several instances of Henry, Hannity, Carlson, and Kurtz sexually harassing Areu and retaliating against her. Despite this, a Fox News spokesperson denies Areu’s claims, citing eyewitnesses and an investigation done by an outside law firm.
- Fox News claims that they took “appropriate action” by firing Henry on July 1. Henry’s attorney Catherine Foti claims that his behavior with Eckhart was consensual and that she initiated all of it. Foti cited “graphic photos and other aggressively suggestive communications that Ms. Eckhart sent to Mr. Henry”.
“I am hopeful that my decision to file this action will result in positive change for women at Fox, and for all victims in the workplace,” Eckhart said in a statement. Areu also made a statement, saying “I simply could not stay silent given the tremendous harm that Mr. Henry and others at Fox News have caused for women affiliated with the company”.
