Former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg — who was fired by the network after filing a lawsuit claiming she was pressured to lie in her deposition as part of Dominion Voting System’s lawsuit against the outlet — claims the culture of the newsroom made her consider ending her life.
In an interview with NBC News, Grossberg called the environment at Fox News “toxic”, adding that she was “verbally violated on almost a daily basis”. She claims she experienced rampant sexual harassment during her time with the company.
“I reached a breaking point where the harassment was so bad that I called a crisis line,” Grossberg said. “I thought I could just walk in front of a car and I wouldn’t have to go to work tomorrow.”
Grossberg also claimed she believed she and Fox News host Maria Bartiromo were being used as scapegoats as the network defends itself against the $1.6 billion lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems. The election machine company claims Fox News knowingly — or should have known — aired false claims about the 2020 presidential election that defamed the company.
Fox News denies any allegations maintained by Grossberg, saying “The assertion that Ms. Grossberg was coached or intimidated into being dishonest during her Dominion deposition is patently false. We will continue to vigorously defend Fox against her unmeritorious legal claims, which are riddled with false allegations against the network and our employees.”
The network says it has hired outside counsel to investigate Grossberg’s sexual harassment claims.
The cable outlet does have a sordid history of sexual harassment claims. In 2016, Fox News CEO Roger Ailes resigned after more than a dozen female employees at the network accused him of unwanted sexual advancements.
In 2017, it was revealed that Fox News primetime host Bill O’Reilly had settled at least 5 lawsuits accusing him of sexually harassing female co-workers, which ultimately led to his departing.
Later that same year, host Eric Bolling and Fox News “agreed to part ways amicably” after he was accused of sending lewd text messages and photos to at least three female colleagues. Bolling has continually denied any wrongdoing.
