Carlson's Lawyers Challenge Ailes to Respond Under Oath

By Jon Lafayette
published

Lawyers for former Fox News Channel anchor Gretchen Carlson, who has sued Fox News chairman Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, said they want Ailes to deny the charges under oath.

Ailes on Wednesday released a statementcalling Carlson’s accusations “false” and “defamatory.” He said that Carlson’s contract was not renewed because ratings were disappointing, not because she refused any alleged improper advances.

Carlson’s attorneys released a statement Thursday spelling out what they said were the ratings changes for Carlson’s FNC show, The Real Story With Gretchen Carlson. They said that despite being moved to a tough time slot and getting insufficient support and promotion, the show's ratings went up, and Carlson was successful.

Visit broadcastingcable.com to read the statement from Carlson’s legal team of Nancy Erika Smith and Martin Hyman.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.