Ed Henry, co-anchor of “America’s Newsroom,” the Fox News’ morning news program, was fired by the network Wednesday after he was accused of “willful sexual misconduct in the workplace.”
According to a memo to employees from Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace, Henry was fired after a complaint about his conduct “years ago” was brought to the cable network’s attention.
"We would like to bring a very serious matter to your attention in an effort toward full transparency given the many actions we have taken to improve the culture here over the last four years," the memo began.
"On Thursday, June 25, we received a complaint about Ed Henry from a former employee's attorney involving willful sexual misconduct in the workplace years ago. We immediately retained an outside law firm (which has never represented Fox News in investigations or litigation) to independently investigate the claims. Ed was suspended the same day and removed from his on-air responsibilities pending investigation," they said.
The memo went on to say, "Based on investigative findings, Ed has been terminated."
Update 7:32 p.m. EDT July 1: Catherine Foti, an attorney for Henry, said Wednesday evening that the broadcaster denied the claim, The New York Times reported.
“Ed Henry denies the allegations referenced in the Fox announcement and is confident that he will be vindicated after a full hearing in an appropriate forum,” Foti wrote in a statement.
NEW: Ed Henry's lawyer issued the following statement on his dismissal from Fox News:
— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) July 1, 2020
“Ed Henry denies the allegations referenced in the Fox announcement and is confident that he will be vindicated after a full hearing in an appropriate forum.”
Original report: Henry joined Fox News in 2011 after he served as senior White House correspondent for CNN. He covered the Obama administration as Fox’s chief White House correspondent and was named co-anchor of “America’s Newsroom” late last year.
In 2016 Henry took a temporary leave of absence for an alleged extramarital affair.
The network has dealt with other complaints of harassment, and Henry’s firing comes four years after then-Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes was fired from the network after an investigation over claims he sexually harassed women who worked for him.
“Fox News Media strictly prohibits all forms of sexual harassment, misconduct, and discrimination. We will continue striving to maintain a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees,” Scott and Wallace added in the email to employees.
According to Henry’s co-anchor Sandra Smith, who reported on Henry’s firing on-air Wednesday morning, the network said it will rotate anchors in to fill Henry’s morning spot.
Cox Media Group
