Filed Date: March 29, 2017
Closed Date: 2018
Clearinghouse coding complete
On March 29, 2017, the plaintiffs, employees of Fox News, sued Fox News and Judith Slater, the former Senior Vice President of Accounting and Controller of Fox News, in the Supreme Court of Bronx County, New York. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants had discriminated and harassed the plaintiffs on the basis of the plaintiffs' race, ethnicity, and national origin in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). The complaint sought a declaratory judgment that the actions, conduct, and practices of the defendants violated the laws of the State and City of New York, monetary damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. On April 4, 2017, an additional Fox News employee joined this action.
Although much of the docket and filings are unavailable, an opinion, dated November 13, 2017, by Judge Mary Ann Brigantti indicates that the plaintiffs moved for an order to grant their request to file a second amended complaint. The plaintiffs’ second amended complaint sought to add ten additional plaintiffs to this action and to convert the case into a class action lawsuit. The defendants opposed the motion and cross-moved for an order to compel arbitration of one of the proposed plaintiff’s claims and a declaratory judgment that another of the proposed plaintiff’s claims were barred pursuant to a release and waiver of claims. Judge Brigantti granted the plaintiffs’ motion to file a second amended complaint, allowing them to add eight of the ten requested additional plaintiffs and to include class-action allegations. However, she granted the defendant’s cross-motions as to two of the proposed plaintiffs, finding that one had an unambiguous arbitration clause in his employment contract that required him to arbitrate his claims and that the other one had signed a severance agreement and release that waived his rights to pursue his claims against the defendants.
On October 5, 2017, the plaintiffs sought a default judgment, which was denied by Judge Brigantti on December 21, 2017.
On July 5, 2018, it seems that the case was privately settled and closed. According to news sources, the defendant settled for approximately $10 million to resolve multiple suits involving 18 current and former employees, including this action. Although it was reported that part of the $10 million payment included attorneys’ fees, it is unclear how much each plaintiff received.
Summary Authors
Lisa Limb (4/7/2019)
Brigantti, Mary Ann (New York)
Christensen, Jeanne M. (New York)
Crabill, Taylor (New York)
Asen, Barry (New York)
Buseman, Nicole Lynn (New York)
Brigantti, Mary Ann (New York)
Last updated Sept. 9, 2022, 3:01 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 29, 2017
Closing Date: 2018
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Former and current employees of Fox News.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling
Defendants
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Discrimination-area:
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination-basis:
National origin discrimination
Race:
National Origin/Ethnicity: