Bill O'Reilly settled $32 million sexual harassment claim before Fox renewed his contract
Months before Bill O'Reilly was ousted from the network under allegations of sexual harassment, the Fox News commentator agreed to a $32 million sexual harassment settlement, which the network's parent company were aware of before they offered to renew his contract the next month, The New York Times reports.
The "extraordinarily large" agreement has not been previously made public, with two individuals briefed on the matter being cited, though 21st Century Fox did acknowledge that it was aware of the settlement before it offered O'Reilly a four-year extension on his contract that paid $25 million a year.
The allegations, made by longtime network analyst Lis Wiehl, reportedly include repeated harassment, a nonconsensual sexual relationship, and the sending of sexually explicit material. They formed the sixth agreement made by either O'Reilly or the company to settle allegations of sexual harassment against him.
In a statement, 21st Century Fox said it was not aware of the amount of the settlement in question, and regarded the agreement as a personal issue between O'Reilly and Wiehl. Furthermore, the company stated Fox News "surely would have wanted to renew" O'Reilly's contract, noting that "he was the biggest star in cable TV."
Provisions were added to the new contract, the company notes, that allowed for his dismissal if new allegations or any other relevant information arose. "The company subsequently acted based on the terms of this contract," the statement said, referencing O'Reilly's later dismissal in April.
In an interview, O'Reilly claimed he "never mistreated anyone", adding that he resolved all matters privately as he wanted to shield his children from the publicity. He declined to address Wiehl's or any other settlement specifically.
O'Reilly's departure followed that of former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, who was forced to resign in July of last year, following allegations of sexual misconduct by a number of women including former anchor Gretchen Carlson. Ailes, who died in May, repeatedly denied the claims.
In a statement provided last week, the company said: "21st Century Fox has taken concerted action to transform Fox News including installing new leaders, overhauling management and on-air talent, expanding training, and increasing the channels through which employees can report harassment or discrimination."
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