Former host Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit recently against Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, however there may be more to the story. In handwritten notes, Carlson petitioned for a prime time show with Bill Hemmer during the same time slot as Greta Van Susteren.
Lawnewz reported Friday that in a September 16, 2015 meeting with Ailes, Carlson alleges that he said, “I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you’d be good and better and I’d be good and better.” Carlson goes on to allege that in the aftermath of that meeting and after refusing to accept his advances she was denied future television show opportunities.
The denied opportunities included “severely curtailing her appearances as a guest commentator on prime time shows” and “blocking her from appearing as a substitute host on prime time or daytime panel shows.”
A memo provided to Lawnewz rebuffing some of Carlson’s claims dated Sept. 23, 2015 from Ailes to head of programming Bill Shine said that Carlson should be given “another chance” to appear on Bill O’Reilly’s show.
Roger Ailes Memo by LawNewz on Scribd
Interestingly, in a handwritten note from Carlson to Ailes dated September 21, 2015, Carlson thanked Ailes for the previous meeting, adding, “I’m happy my show continues to do well & that you are open to helping me, adding that it would be “great to get back” appearing alongside O’Reilly.
Carlson goes on to write, “I’m happy you are taking another look at me to fill in for Greta and elsewhere. I know you know I can do it- you just need to be open to giving me a chance. I’ve been a loyal employee.”
She concludes the note with “Hemmer & me at 7pm?” and a smiley face.
In following months, Carlson continued to write handwritten notes to Ailes thanking him for the support.
An industry source told The Daily Caller that “the timing of the letters is extremely suspect.”
Gretchen Carlson Notes to Roger Ailes by Steve Guest on Scribd
Van Susteren still anchors “On the Record” during the 7:00 p.m. time slot and Carlson no longer works for the network.
In a statement provided to Politico, Ailes said that “Gretchen Carlson’s allegations are false.” Adding, “This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup.”
Ailes also called the allegations “offensive, wholly without merit.” The former Fox News host has stuck by her claims.