Fox News: Commentator files lawsuit against host Charles Payne, says she was raped

Six months after Fox News host Bill O’Reilly was ousted by the network following reports of sexual harassment, Fox News is in news again. This time Fox Business host Charles Payne has been accused of allegedly raping Scottie Nell Hughes, a political commentator. Hughes was subsequently blacklisted as a guest by the broadcaster, she claims.

In the lawsuit, Hughes has named 21st Century Fox, Fox News and Payne among the defendants, adding to the sexual and racial harassment scandal that has surrounded the broadcaster for sometime.

According to The Guardian, Hughes has alleged that Payne had “pressured his way” into her hotel room in New York in July 2013 for a “private discussion”. This is when she was sexually assaulted and raped. The defendants have denied all such claims so far.

Hughes has also claimed that she was blacklisted and no longer allowed on network shows after she approached Fox lawyers about the alleged assault. In a statement, Hughes said, “What is most important to me is that justice will prevent other women from going through the nightmare I’m now living. On my behalf, Wigdor [the law firm] will expose Fox’s unconscionable conduct.”

Responding to Hughes’ claims Fox has said that the lawsuit had “no merit” and is “downright shameful”, reports state. “The latest publicity stunt of a lawsuit filed by Doug Wigdor [Hughes’s lawyer] has absolutely no merit and is downright shameful. We will vigorously defend this.”

Meanwhile, Payne’s lawyer added that his client “vehemently denies any wrongdoing and will defend himself vigorously against this baseless complaint”.