--- description: Bill Shine is the latest to leave Fox News amid its sexual harassment scandal that saw the departures of Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly. title: A Timeline of Sexual Harassment Allegations at Fox News image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3db86ead914bd912/6988cb92a988ca62436bc09e/fox-news-sexual-harassment-lawsuits.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [motto](/tag/motto/) ## motto Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # A Timeline of Sexual Harassment Allegations at Fox News  by [Samantha Cooney](/author/samantha-cooney/)  ## Samantha Cooney Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 2, 2017 3:12 PM CUT  The Fox News ticker is displayed outside News Corp. headquarters in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, July 19, 2011\. Rupert Murdoch defended News Corp.'s reputation over the phone-hacking scandal at his News of the World tabloid before U.K. lawmakers on what he told them was "the most humble day of my life." Photographer: Stephen Yang/Bloomberg via Getty Images The Fox News ticker is displayed outside News Corp. headquarters in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, July 19, 2011\. Rupert Murdoch defended News Corp.'s reputation over the phone-hacking scandal at his News of the World tabloid before U.K. lawmakers on what he told them was "the most humble day of my life." Photographer: Stephen Yang/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg—Bloomberg via Getty Images  by [Samantha Cooney](/author/samantha-cooney/)  ## Samantha Cooney Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close May 2, 2017 3:12 PM CUT Allegations of [sexual harassment](http://motto.time.com/4698800/sexual-harassment-work-wall-street-statue/ "undefined"), misconduct and general [sexism](http://motto.time.com/4704219/silicon-valley-sexism-project-include/ "undefined") have been in the news nearly weekly since Gretchen Carlson sued former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes for sexual harassment in July 2016\. On May 1, network co-president Bill Shine [resigned](http://time.com/4762039/bill-shine-fox-news-oreilly-rupert-murdoch/?xid=homepage "undefined") from his post after being named in a number of lawsuits (though he was never accused of harassment himself). 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch made no mention to those suits in his statement announcing Shine’s departure. “Bill has played a huge role in building FOX News to its present position as the nation’s biggest and most important cable channel in the history of the industry,” Murdoch [said](http://time.com/4762039/bill-shine-fox-news-oreilly-rupert-murdoch/?iid=sr-link1 "undefined") in a statement. “His contribution to our channel and our country will resonate for many years.” Last week, Fox News co-host Jesse Watters [made](http://fortune.com/2017/04/26/jesse-watters-ivanka-trump-microphone/?iid=sr-link2 "undefined") what was widely interpreted as a sexual innuendo about White House adviser and first daughter [Ivanka Trump](http://motto.time.com/4753990/ivanka-trump-father-champions-women/ "undefined")‘s appearance at a female empowerment panel in Germany. Watters [later](https://twitter.com/jessebwatters/status/857230823833075713 "undefined") said that his statement was in no way meant as innuendo. Following a series of sexual harassment [allegations](http://time.com/4724383/fox-news-misconduct-lawsuits/?iid=sr-link9 "undefined"), the network parted ways with two of its most prominent employees, O’Reilly and Ailes, in a period of [nine months](http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/20/media/fox-news-sex-harassment/ "undefined"). Ailes and O’Reilly deny the allegations against them. 21st Century Fox [said](http://time.com/4746522/bill-oreilly-factor-fox-news-show/?iid=sr-link3 "undefined") its decision on O’Reilly came after a “extensive review,” but praised the anchor’s success with the network. The company never mentioned the allegations against Ailes in its statement announcing his resignation, only [praising](http://time.com/4413767/roger-ailes-fox-news-resigns-rupert-murdoch/?iid=sr-link1 "undefined") him for his “remarkable contribution to our company and our country.” Here is a timeline of the recent sexual harassment allegations that have come out of Fox and set the stage for the high-profile departures from the network. **July 6, 2016: Gretchen Carlson files a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes** In July, the former _Fox & Friends_ anchor — and current _Motto_ columnist — [filed](http://time.com/4394896/gretchen-carlson-roger-ailes-fox-news-sexual-harassment-lawsuit/ "undefined") a lawsuit against Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. Ailes denied her claims. The network said that it would investigate her claims but [said](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/roger-ailes-fires-back-at-908859 "undefined") it had “full confidence” in Ailes. Read more [here](http://time.com/4540095/gretchen-carlsons-next-fight/ "undefined"). **July 9, 2016: Six other women allege Ailes harassed them** New York _Magazine_ [reported](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/six-more-women-allege-ailes-sexual-harassment.html "undefined") that former Republican National Committee field adviser Kellie Boyle, model Marsha Callahan and four other women who remained anonymous had also come forward to accuse Ailes of harassment decades ago. Ailes denied the claims. Read more [here](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/six-more-women-allege-ailes-sexual-harassment.html "undefined"). **July 11, 2016: 21st Century Fox hires law firm Paul, Weiss to investigate Ailes** New York _Magazine_‘s Gabriel Sherman [reported](https://twitter.com/gabrielsherman/status/752667647494459392 "undefined") that the network’s parent company hired external law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to investigate the allegations against Ailes. Read more [here](http://www.politico.com/media/story/2016/07/report-fox-retains-paul-weiss-to-look-into-ailes-claims-004663 "undefined"). **July 19, 2016: Megyn Kelly tells Paul, Weiss investigators that she was sexually harassed by Ailes** Kelly, one of the network’s biggest stars, told external investigations that she had been harassed by Ailes early on in her career, New York _Magazine_ [reported](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/sources-kelly-said-ailes-sexually-harassed-her.html "undefined"). Kelly later [confirmed](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/business/megyn-kellys-book-sheds-new-light-on-fox-inquiry-into-roger-ailes.html "undefined") in her memoir that she told investigations about her alleged experience. Ailes denied Kelly’s allegations. Read more [here.](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/sources-kelly-said-ailes-sexually-harassed-her.html "undefined") **July 21, 2016: Roger Ailes resigns from Fox News** The network announced that Ailes would resign from the network following the allegations. In a statement, Murdoch praised Ailes, who reportedly [received](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/07/21/ailes-steps-down-fox-news-ceo-after-sexual-harassment-lawsuit/87402864/ "undefined") a $40 million severance package. Read more [here.](http://time.com/4413767/roger-ailes-fox-news-resigns-rupert-murdoch/ "undefined") **July 29, 2016: Former Fox News booker Laurie Luhn says she was ‘psychologically tortured’ by Ailes for two decades** New York _Magazine_ [reported](http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/07/fmr-fox-booker-harassed-by-ailes-for-20-years.html "undefined") that Luhn told investigators that she was sexually harassed by Ailes for 20 years, calling her experience “psychological torture.” Ailes [denied](http://abcnews.go.com/US/laurie-luhn-roger-ailes-sexually-harassed-20-years/story?id=43619335 "undefined") her claims. Read more [here](http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/07/fmr-fox-booker-harassed-by-ailes-for-20-years.html "undefined"). **August 22, 2016: Andrea Tantaros files a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes and other top Fox News executives** One month after Carlson’s suit, the [former co-host](http://motto.time.com/4472303/andrea-tantaros-sexual-harassment/ "undefined") of _The Five_ [filed](http://motto.time.com/4462826/andrea-tantaros-roger-ailes-fox-news-lawsuit/ "undefined") her own lawsuit against the network, Ailes and other top executives, alleging that she was sexually harassed by Ailes and then retaliated against after coming forward with her claims. Ailes and Fox News [denied](http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2016/08/fox-new-tantaros-an-opportunist-wannabe-227515 "undefined") the allegations. Read more [here](http://motto.time.com/4462826/andrea-tantaros-roger-ailes-fox-news-lawsuit/ "undefined"). **September 6, 2016: Fox News settles with Gretchen Carlson** Fox News agreed to pay Carlson $20 million and publicly apologized “for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.” Read more [here](http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/06/492797695/fox-news-will-pay-gretchen-carlson-20-million-to-settle-sexual-harassment-suit "undefined"). **March 8, 2017: Fox News settles with Tamara N. Holder** The New York _Times_ [reported](https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/business/fox-news-roger-ailes-sexual-assault-settlement.html?mc%5Fcid=2941dcd990&mc%5Feid=669c53bc63 "undefined") that the network paid Holder, a former Fox News contributor, more than $2.5 million over allegations that vice president for Fox News Latino Francisco Cortes had tried to force her to perform oral sex on him. Cortes was later terminated following an investigation. Cortes’ lawyer [instructed](http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/09/media/fox-news-sexual-harassment/ "undefined") his client not to comment and said he was “considering Mr. Cortes’ legal options.” Read more [here](https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/business/fox-news-roger-ailes-sexual-assault-settlement.html?mc%5Fcid=2941dcd990&mc%5Feid=669c53bc63 "undefined"). **April 1, 2017:** **The** **New York** **_Times_** **reports O’Reilly and Fox News paid $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims** An investigation by the _Times_ [found](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/business/media/bill-oreilly-sexual-harassment-fox-news.html "undefined") that O’Reilly and the network had paid $13 million to a total of five women who worked or appeared on his show to dissuade them from pursuing litigation or speaking out publicly. That investigation included a [lawsuit](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7578-2004Oct28.html "undefined") filed by a former producer, Andrea Mackris, which was publicly [settled](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7578-2004Oct28.html "undefined") in 2004\. O’Reilly claimed “no wrongdoing” in the case.Their investigation included a lawsuit by former O’Reilly denied any wrongdoing. Read more [here](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/business/media/bill-oreilly-sexual-harassment-fox-news.html "undefined"). **April 3, 2017: Julie Roginsky files a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes and the network** Former Fox News contributor filed a lawsuit against Ailes, the network and the network’s current co-president Bill Shine, alleging that Ailes sexually harassed her and then Shine retaliated against her for coming forward with her claims. Ailes denies the allegations, while Shine and the network declined to comment. Read more [here](http://motto.time.com/4722995/fox-news-roger-ailes-julie-roginsky-sexual-harassment-suit/ "undefined"). **April 4, 2017: Former Fox News guest Wendy Walsh speaks out about her claims against O’Reilly** Walsh, who was quoted in the _Times_ article but never pursued legal action against O’Reilly, holds a press conference to discuss her [alleged experience](http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/wendy-walsh-bill-oreilly-sexual-harassment-fox-news-investigation-1202021517/ "undefined") with O’Reilly. O’Reilly denied her claims. Read more [here](http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/04/media/wendy-walsh-bill-oreilly-don-lemon/?iid=EL "undefined"). **April 9, 2017: Fox News announces it will investigate O’Reilly** After Walsh and her lawyer, Lisa Bloom, publicly called in a complaint to the network’s anonymous hotline, the network announced Paul, Weiss will investigate the claims against O’Reilly. Read more [here](http://time.com/4732479/fox-bill-oreilly-sexual-harassment/?iid=sr-link4 "undefined"). **April 19, 2017: Fox News cuts ties with O’Reilly** The network announced that O’Reilly would leave the network following the Paul, Weiss investigation. O’Reilly had taken a two-week vacation, which he said was pre-planned, on April 11\. Read more [here](http://time.com/4747075/bill-oreilly-fox-news-sexual-harassment-accusations/ "undefined"). **April 21, 2017: Debbie Schlussel says Sean Hannity invited her to his hotel room** The former Fox News guest [said](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sean-hannity-sex-harassment%5Fus%5F58fd5c6ee4b00fa7de153d2b "undefined") she she rebuffed two advances from him to go back to his hotel room. Schlussel [said](http://lawnewz.com/high-profile/despite-reports-fmr-fox-guest-now-claims-she-was-never-sexually-harassed-by-sean-hannity/ "undefined") in a separate interview that she didn’t think the incident amounted to sexual harassment. Hannity [called](http://thehill.com/homenews/media/330184-sean-hannity-vows-legal-action-after-sexual-harassment-accusation "undefined") her allegations “100 percent false” and said he was in the process of “laying out the legal course of action” to fight the claims. Read more [here](http://time.com/4753456/sean-hannity-debbie-schlussel-fox-news-uncomfortable/?iid=sr-link2 "undefined"). **April 25, 2017 : Current and former employees file a racial discrimination lawsuit** Two black women [sued](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/03/29/2-black-women-sue-fox-news-network-alleged-racial-discrimination/99797718/ "undefined") the network in March. In April, a third colleague [joined ](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/04/third-black-employee-sues-fox-news-for-racial-discrimination.html "undefined")their suit. Later than month, [eight](http://deadline.com/2017/04/fox-news-racial-discrimination-lawsuit-kelly-wright-1202077543/ "undefined") other current and former employees joined their lawsuit. It alleged that the network “appears more akin to Plantation-style management than a modern-day workplace.” Fox News “vehemently” denies the allegations. Read more [here](http://time.com/4755725/fox-news-racial-discrimination-lawsuit/ "undefined"). **May 1, 2017: Bill Shine resigns** The network announced that Bill Shine, the network’s co-president, would [resign](https://twitter.com/DylanByers/status/859115789105872896 "undefined") from his post and leave the network. Shine was [accused](http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/27/media/bill-shine-fox-news/ "undefined") of retaliating against Roginsky for coming forward with claims of sexual harassment against Ailes. Tantaros said Shine discouraged her from coming forward with her allegations. (Shine denied Tantaros’ claims in the past and declined to comment on Roginsky’s lawsuit.) Suzanne Scott will become Fox News’ president of programming following Shine’s departure. Read more [here](http://time.com/4762039/bill-shine-fox-news-oreilly-rupert-murdoch/?xid=homepage "undefined"). ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4757734/timeline-sexual-harassment-allegations-fox-news/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4757734/timeline-sexual-harassment-allegations-fox-news/"},"headline":"A Timeline of Sexual Harassment Allegations at Fox News","datePublished":"2017-05-02T15:12:22.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T09:05:31.630Z","description":"Starting with the 2004 claims against Bill O’Reilly","url":"https://time.com/4757734/timeline-sexual-harassment-allegations-fox-news/","keywords":["motto","sexual harassment","bill o'reilly","fox news","roger ailes"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3db86ead914bd912/6988cb92a988ca62436bc09e/fox-news-sexual-harassment-lawsuits.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Samantha Cooney","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/samantha-cooney/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3db86ead914bd912/6988cb92a988ca62436bc09e/fox-news-sexual-harassment-lawsuits.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"News Corp. 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