REID COLLINS’ HISTORIC EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUIT AGAINST FOX NEWS MOVES FORWARD; COURT SUSTAINS COMPLAINT UNDER NEW YORK “ADULT SURVIVORS ACT”
On August 14, 2023, the Honorable Lyle Frank of New York Supreme Court denied the Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss in a groundbreaking employment discrimination and sexual abuse complaint against the Fox News Network, LLC, Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., and former Fox News Co-President Bill Shine. The action, filed by leading national trial boutique Reid Collins & Tsai LLP (“Reid Collins”) on behalf of former Fox News employee Laura Luhn, was brought under the 2022 New York State Adult Survivors Act (“ASA”) and related New York City statutes. It alleges a decades-long campaign of discrimination, manipulation, threats, and sexual assaults by former Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. The pervasive sexual abuse at Fox News has been the subject of multiple films, exposés, and news coverage.
Judge Frank found that a settlement agreement with Fox that Luhn signed previously may not be enforceable because she may have signed the deal under duress:
“Plaintiff’s complaint is replete with factual allegations regarding duress and her inability to report the alleged sexual abuse and misconduct while it was occurring,” states the order. “At this stage of the litigation, the duress that is alleged to have occurred prior to the negotiation of the agreement between the parties is enough for this case to not be dismissed.”
Likewise, the Court declined to dismiss claims against Bill Shine, finding that:
“[T]here are certainly a myriad of allegations that he was aware of the conduct, did nothing to stop it, and helped cover up the abuse and was involved in the duress that allegedly made the plaintiff sign the release in question.”
Reid Collins partner Barbara Whiten Balliette, counsel for Ms. Luhn, emphasized the firm’s commitment to vindicating her saying: “The abuse and assaults that Ms. Luhn suffered were some of the worst imaginable. People knew, but no one at Fox News stepped in to stop it. Ultimately, her career and her life were destroyed. The Adult Survivors Act was created to redress wrongs exactly like these. We are gratified that the Court sees the need for this case to be properly adjudicated and has denied Defendants’ dismissal motions.”
The case, captioned Laura W. Luhn v. Fox News Network, LLC, Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. & William Shine, Index No. 950003/2023 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), has received extensive coverage in the major media.
To view the Complaint, click here.
To view the Court’s August 14, 2023 decision denying Defendants’ motions to dismiss, click here.
To view media reporting on the decision, click on the link below:
The Hollywood Reporter: Fox News Can’t Escape Laura Luhn Lawsuit As Judge Questions Settlement Terms
Daily Beast: Ailes Accuser’s Sex-Abuse Lawsuit Against Fox News Can Proceed, NY Judge Rules
Deadline.com: Judge Declines To Toss Out Laura Luhn’s Case Against Fox News Over Sexual Abuse Settlement
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.