**UPDATE**
As O’Reilly heads off for vacation, the Murdoch family is heavily weighing their options regarding the Fox News host’s future. They are expected to wait until the investigation into allegations of sexual harrassment is concluded before making a final decision.
Bill O’Reilly is Fox News’ number one host, and his primetime show The O’Reilly Factor is consistently the number one show in cable news, averaging well over 3 million viewers each night.
Given that O’Reilly is at the top of the cable news totem pole, he has repeatedly been on the receiving end of numerous accusations over the years. He has recently been accused of harassment, and Fox News has decided to take action.
The cable news giant has hired the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkand, Wharton & Garrison to investigate one of the accusations of sexual harassment against O’Reilly.
From The Hill:
The investigation follows a complaint by Wendy Walsh, a former periodic guest on “The O’Reilly Factor,” who phoned in a complaint to the network’s workplace misconduct hotline last week. Walsh’s complaint was recorded with her lawyer, former NBC contributor Lisa Bloom, and posted on YouTube.
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“21st Century Fox investigates all complaints and we have asked the law firm Paul Weiss to continue assisting the company in these serious matters,” the company said in a statement.
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Walsh, a psychologist and radio host, said O’Reilly reneged on an offer to secure her a lucrative job on the network after she declined his invitation to join him in his hotel suite after a dinner in early 2013.
The leftist lawyer representing O’Reilly’s accuser has been making the rounds on Twitter and cable news to promote her involvement in the lawsuit:
You know what we haven’t heard? Women talking about what a great boss O’Reilly is. Not even current employees. Crickets.
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) April 11, 2017
A Fox News sexual harassment victim is walking into a lion’s den to talk to them. But Wendy is in, & I’ll be beside her for all of it. 4/4
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) April 10, 2017
For his part, O’Reilly issued a statement denying any wrongdoing:
Just like other prominent and controversial people, I’m vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity. In my more than 20 years at Fox News Channel, no one has ever filed a complaint about me with the Human Resources Department, even on the anonymous hotline.
But most importantly, I’m a father who cares deeply for my children and who would do anything to avoid hurting them in any way. And so I have put to rest any controversies to spare my children.
The worst part of my job is being a target for those who would harm me and my employer, the Fox News Channel. Those of us in the arena are constantly at risk, as are our families and children. My primary efforts will continue to be to put forth an honest TV program and to protect those close to me.
The liberal New York Times also reported that over the years Fox News and Mr. O’Reilly have paid out $13 million to women in exchange for them not seeking legal action over their accusations against him.
Do you believe the allegations make against Mr. O’Reilly? Do you think he will remain at Fox News or will this story pass? Share your thoughts below!