Fox News settled sexual harassment claims by former host: WSJ

[January 11, 2017]    (Reuters) - Fox News reached a financial settlement several months ago with former host Juliet Huddy, who claimed she was sexually harassed by two top figures at the cable news network, the WSJ reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

In a letter from her attorney to Fox News, Huddy claimed she had been harassed by "The O'Reilly Factor" host Bill O'Reilly and Fox News co-President Jack Abernethy, the Journal reported. (http://on.wsj.com/2jcICXx)

Fox News, a unit of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, paid a six-figure settlement to Huddy, but believes the claims are false, the Journal reported.

"Juliet Huddy's letter of intent to sue contained substantial falsehoods which both men vehemently denied," a Fox News spokesperson told Reuters.

The settlement came when Fox News was dealing with sexual harassment claims against former network chief Roger Ailes, the Journal said.

Wigdor LLP, which is representing Huddy, declined to comment.

(Reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)

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