Ed Henry denies sexual misconduct allegations after Fox News firing; Gretchen Carlson calls out network

Ed Henry is denying allegations of sexual misconduct surrounding his dismissal from Fox News.

Fox News fired Henry following the completion of a sexual misconduct investigation, the news company announced on Wednesday.

"Ed Henry denies the allegations referenced in Fox’s announcement this morning and is confident that he will be vindicated after a full hearing in an appropriate forum," his lawyer, Catherine Foti, told USA TODAY in a statement.

The "America's Newsroom" co-anchor was terminated after Fox News said they received a complaint on June 25 from a former employee's attorney regarding "willful sexual misconduct in the workplace years ago."

"We immediately retained an outside law firm (which has never represented Fox News in investigations or litigation) to independently investigate the claims," Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace said in a statement. "Ed was suspended the same day and immediately removed from his on-air responsibilities pending investigation. Based on investigative findings, Ed has been terminated."

Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson responded to news of Henry's firing by calling on Fox to release journalists from their nondisclosure agreements.

"W/ the latest revelations about Ed Henry at @foxnews — now would be the time for Fox to release all of us (@dianafalzone @julieroginsky) muzzled by NDAs (if everything has changed as they say it has)," Carlson tweeted Wednesday. "We’ve demanded & were waiting & why created @liftourvoicesus to help others!"

Carlson was one of the women who came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against the late Fox News chief Roger Ailes. She got a reported $20 million settlement in 2016 after she sued the network, claiming Ailes demoted then fired her when she rejected his sexual advances.

Fox News said they have not yet found a permanent replacement for Henry on "America's Newsroom," but rotating anchors will co-host until they find one.

Prior to serving as co-anchor on "America's Newsroom," Henry filled in as a guest co-host of "Fox & Friends."

The former employee who lodged claims against Henry is being represented by Wigdor LLP law firm. Douglas Wigdor, one of the firm's partners, said they are currently not at liberty to share any information.

In December 2019, Fox News was hit with a sexual misconduct lawsuit.

Fox News on-air personality Britt McHenry sued her employer, its executives and her former co-host for sexual harassment and for retaliating after she complained.

The lawsuits were filled with allegations not yet confirmed or proven in court. Fox News, in a company statement, dismissed McHenry's lawsuit and said the company fully investigated her allegations at the time and took appropriate action.

It came just as a major movie about Fox News, "Bombshell," was about to hit theaters. "Bombshell" is based on the 2016 real life sexual misconduct allegations against Ailes. It follows the story of how some of Fox's female personalities, including Carlson and Megyn Kelly, set out to expose the network's hostile work environment of sexual harassment and how Ailes allowed it to thrive.

Contributing: Maria Puente, Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fox News' Ed Henry denies sexual misconduct allegations after firing