Fox Nation host Britt McHenry is suing Fox News, accusing the network of being a ‘sanctuary for sexual harassers’ after her former co-host allegedly ‘crudely sexually harassed’ her.
The 33-year-old filed a lawsuit in New York Tuesday, claiming she ‘suffered humiliation, emotional anguish, derailment of her career and significant loss of economic opportunities’ after she complained about Tyrus – real name George Murdoch.
McHenry alleges that for months in 2018 the former WWE wrestler sent her sexually explicit text messages as they both worked on their show Un-PC, but when she complained Fox Nation executive Jennifer Rauchet told her she was ‘replaceable’.
Fox News contributor, McHenry, claims Tyrus became hostile after he found out she had a boyfriend.
Fox Nation host Britt McHenry is suing Fox News and her former co-host George ‘Tyrus’ Murdoch. She claims she ‘suffered humiliation, emotional anguish, derailment of her career and significant loss of economic opportunities’ after complaining to Fox about him
McHenry claims a Fox Nation executive Jennifer Rauchet (pictured with her husband Pete Hegseth) told her that ‘Fox News had never wanted her’
She claims the network retaliated to her by shunning her and excluding her from company events and shows.
Rauchet told her ‘Fox News had never wanted her’ when she complained for a third time,, according to the lawsuit.
‘When Ms. McHenry tried to continue the conversation, Ms. Rauchet physically walked out on her,’ the Manhattan federal court filing claims.
It states Murdoch was subsequently given his own Fox Nation program, Nuff Said.
Other defendants include Fox Entertainment Group, Fox Corp, News Corp, Fox Nation boss John Finley and human resources executive, Monica Mekeel.
‘Since her sexual harassment complaint, Ms. McHenry has been effectively frozen out by Fox News management,’ the lawsuit argues.
‘In the past, Fox News managers and executives would check in with Ms. McHenry or stop in to watch her show, but she has not heard from any of them since making her sexual harassment complaint.’
Fox Nation boss John Finley (left) and executive producer Jennifer Rauchet (right) are also named as defendants in the lawsuit. Rauchet allegedly told McHenry she was ‘replaceable’
McHenry claims the network excluded her from events but George ‘Tyrus’ Murdoch was given his own Fox Nation program, Nuff Said
The lawsuit refers to how the network responded to claims against Bill O’Reilly and former boss Roger Ailes, arguing that ‘since its inception and continuing to today, Fox News has had a sexual harassment problem’.
McHenry – a former ESPN host of Arlington, Virginia – seeks unspecified damages.
‘Ms. McHenry’s lawsuit recycles the same allegations she filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights in October, to which we filed a response on Friday,’ a Fox News spokesperson told DailyMail.com.
‘As we have previously stated, Ms. McHenry’s allegations have been fully investigated and we are confident our actions will be deemed entirely appropriate in litigation. We expect all of her claims to be dismissed.’
McHenry tweeted Tuesday afternoon: ‘I am standing up for myself, for women and for what’s right. I have maintained the same allegations because the truth doesn’t change.
‘I feel for any sexual harassment victim who has their story and evidence dismissed, doubted and not believed.’
The lawsuit against Fox and Tyrus (left) claims the network is a ‘sanctuary for sexual harassers’. Fox told DailyMail.com it’s ‘confident our actions will be deemed entirely appropriate in litigation. We expect all of her claims to be dismissed’
McHenry tweeted Tuesday afternoon: ‘I am standing up for myself, for women and for what’s right. I have maintained the same allegations because the truth doesn’t change’
Tyrus pinned a GIF tweet showing actor Ray Liotta laughing in a movie role on Tuesday afternoon.
DailyMail.com reached out to him for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, who sued Ailes for sexual harassment in July 2016, showed support for McHenry on Twitter.
It was as she promoted Lift Our Voices, a new platform devoted to stopping companies from using NDAs to cover up incidents of workplace harassment and discrimination.
‘Fox News wants people to believe it has cleaned up its act and is now at the forefront of anti-harassment compliance, but the allegations … tells quite a different story,’ Carlson – who the network with a $20million settlement – tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
‘If @foxnews has really turned the corner, this kind of alleged outrageous behavior wouldn’t still be happening. Fox should also release all women from NDAs they were forced to sign to receive settlements. Only then will there be full transparency and truth.’
Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, who sued Ailes for sexual harassment in July 2016, showed support for McHenry on Twitter
She promoted Lift Our Voices, a new platform devoted to stopping companies from using NDAs to cover up incidents of workplace harassment and discrimination