Rupert Murdoch and his two sons have decided to remove Roger Ailes as CEO of Fox News following a sexual harassment lawsuit by former anchor Gretchen Carlson, New York Magazine reported Monday.
The three are in agreement that the 76-year-old executive should go, but they haven’t agreed on the timing, the magazine reported, citing anonymous sources.
Lachlan Murdoch, executive chairman at parent company 21st Century Fox, is in agreement with his father that no action should be taken against Mr. Ailes until after the Republican National Convention concludes this week in Cleveland, the magazine reported.
James Murdoch, CEO of 21st Century Fox, thinks Mr. Ailes should be given a choice this week to resign or face being fired, the report said.
An investigation by New York law firm Paul, Weiss into Ms. Carlson’s allegations against Mr. Ailes has expanded into “a wide-ranging inquiry into his controversial management style,” the report said.
The law firm is now conducting interviews with current and former female Fox News staffers in their midtown offices “because of concerns that the Fox offices are bugged.”
SEE ALSO: Megyn Kelly told Fox investigators that Roger Ailes sexually harassed her: Report
“This matter is not yet resolved and the review is not concluded,” a 21st Century Fox spokesman told The Huffington Post in response to the report.
Earlier this month, Ms. Carlson filed suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey against Mr. Ailes, claiming that he made various unwanted “sexual advances” toward her during her time at Fox News.
Mr. Ailes denied Ms. Carlson’s claim, calling it a “retaliatory suit” for the network electing not to pick up her contract.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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