Fox News’ General Counsel, Under Legal Siege, Takes Leave From Network
Fox News general counsel Dianne Brandi will take an unspecified leave of absence from the company, in the latest sign of fallout from the network’s long-running sexual harassment scandal, reports The Washington Post.
Brandi has been named in four lawsuits filed by former Fox employees or contributors alleging harassment. And a federal investigation into Fox News’ financial practices began to focus on her role during the long tenure of its co-founder and former chairman, Roger Ailes, sources told the Post. Investigators are looking into payments made under Ailes to employees who had accused him and other executives of harassment or mistreatment.
“Brandi could prove to be a key figure in the investigation because of her long and close association with Ailes, who was ousted from Fox last year amid harassment allegations and died in May,” writes reporter Paul Farhi. “She may have direct knowledge of some of his more secretive and allegedly sinister management practices, people who are involved in the investigation said.”