Former Fox News guest Cathy Areu, who accused Fox News host and Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson of sexual assault in 2020, was reportedly arrested Friday for allegedly kidnapping and exploiting her mother.
Fifty-one year-old Areu, previously known as the “liberal sherpa,” was booked Friday on several felonies, including kidnapping, elderly exploitation and organized scheme to defraud, according to the Miami Herald.
Cathy Areu, once known as the “Liberal Sherpa” on Fox News, was arrested for kidnapping and extorting over $224,000 from her elderly mother.
She also unsuccessfully tried to sue Fox News for sexual harassment — a case that was tossed out of court.https://t.co/n3rSmZOThY
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) December 9, 2022
Authorities have reportedly been trying to arrest her since June but allege that Areu has tried to evade authorities and fled the country. Investigators claim Areu began exploiting her elderly mother in 2019, having allegedly turned her mother’s home over to herself via a quit claim deed, according to the Herald. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson Presses Guest On ‘Sexism Laws’ Mirroring Profanity Laws)
Areu then allegedly made several bank withdrawals from her mother’s account and opened credit cards in her mother’s name.
Authorities say Areu involuntary committed her mother to assisted living facilities “in an attempt to gain control over her mother’s financial assets,” the Herald reported. Areu is accused of dragging her mother from her home to the facility, with neighbors alerting the police after noticing the woman’s shoe in the driveway, according to the report.
Areu’s arrest comes more than a year after a judge tossed out a federal lawsuit Areu filed against several Fox News hosts over alleged sexual harassment and assault. Her claim was dismissed with the judge ruling she did not have legal standing for her claims since she was an unpaid guest.
Areu claimed that the alleged sexual assault took place on Dec. 10, the day of the “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Christmas Party. However the network-wide Christmas party occurred that night, according to The Spectator World. There were reportedly several inconsistencies in Areu’s filing, with Areu’s lawyer telling The Spectator World that Areu mixed up the dates.
The suit also reportedly claimed that Carlson told Areu he would only briefly stop by his Christmas party and that he wouldn’t be with his wife or kids. The Spectator World reported Carlson stayed the entire duration of the party and was with his wife.