Fox News faces legal battle with former producer Jennifer Eckhart

A case four years in the making

Fox News and Jennifer Eckhart, a former associate producer for Fox Business Network, are potentially heading to court over a case that has been simmering for the past four years. The case revolves around allegations of sexual misconduct involving Ed Henry, a former Fox News correspondent.

The allegations and legal proceedings

On Monday night, Fox News filed a request for summary judgment in the case. Eckhart has accused Henry of raping her, leading to his dismissal from the network in 2020 after an investigation into “willful sexual misconduct in the workplace.” Eckhart’s lawsuit was initially filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York in July 2020. Henry’s lawyer has previously claimed that Eckhart “initiated and completely encouraged a consensual relationship.” Notably, Fox News terminated Eckhart in 2020 before she made the allegations against Henry.

Eckhart’s perspective

Eckhart has expressed her readiness to speak about the case in open court, stating, “Speaking about the case in open court is a very likely outcome that I am prepared for. I’m not under any gag order.” This statement underscores her determination to see the case through, despite the potential challenges.

The implications for both parties

A court trial would be an unpleasant ordeal for both sides. Eckhart would likely face detailed questions about her time at Fox News, while the network’s executives would have to reveal internal operations and business practices to the public. Fox Corp. has shown a willingness to go to court on behalf of Fox News in the past, as seen in the 2023 defamation case involving Dominion Voting, which was settled for $787.5 million.

The original suit’s details

In her original suit, Eckhart alleged that Henry, who was an anchor on “America’s Newsroom,” “groomed, psychologically manipulated, and coerced Ms. Eckhart into having a sexual relationship with him.” She further claimed that when she did not comply voluntarily, Henry sexually assaulted her on office property and raped her at a hotel frequently used by Fox News for lodging visiting employees.

Fox News’ response

In its Monday-night filing, Fox News stated that it acted on Eckhart’s allegations as soon as they were made. The network claimed that Eckhart raised these allegations through her lawyers on June 25, 2020, three years after the alleged harassment ended and two weeks after her termination for “longstanding, unremedied performance failures.” Despite Eckhart no longer being employed by Fox News, the network’s President Jay Wallace and Executive Vice President of Human Resources Kevin Lord suspended Henry immediately, took him off the air, and hired an independent law firm to investigate.

The investigation’s findings

Fox News’ filing highlighted that during the investigation, Eckhart refused to disclose her communications with Henry, which included numerous sexually provocative messages and intimate photographs that she had sent to him. These communications were conspicuously omitted from her complaint. The network’s outside investigator issued findings, leading to Henry’s termination for admitted violations of workplace policy six days after the complaint was received. On the same day, Wallace and Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott informed all employees about the complaint, investigation, and Henry’s termination, reiterating the network’s zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment, misconduct, and discrimination.

Legal perspectives

Michael J. Willemin, an attorney representing Eckhart, expressed skepticism about Fox’s request for summary judgment being granted. He stated, “We feel it will be denied, and we will look forward to starting the trial in this matter in front of a jury of Jennifer’s peers.” Willemin also questioned the credibility of Fox News’ claim that it was unaware of Henry’s problematic behavior toward women before Eckhart’s allegations.

Fox News’ statement

Fox News reiterated its stance, stating, “Upon learning of Jennifer Eckhart’s allegations in 2020, Fox News promptly conducted an investigation by an outside independent law firm and terminated Ed Henry within six days. Discovery in this matter has confirmed that Fox News was not aware of their relationship or of Ms. Eckhart’s allegations until after she left the company.” The network emphasized that “the only people who know what happened between Mr. Henry and Ms. Eckhart are Mr. Henry and Ms. Eckhart.”

Eckhart’s hopes for the case

Eckhart believes that the outcome of this case will serve as a beacon of hope for trauma survivors everywhere. She stated, “The decisions I have made and how I have conducted myself through this process will set a precedent and serve as a blueprint for future sexual assault survivors in the workplace.”

Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.