Justin Wells, the ex-Fox Information producer who was in command of Tucker Carlson’s program earlier than each males have been ousted earlier this yr, is being sued in a sexual assault case by a former worker of the conservative information community.
The previous worker, Andrew Delancey, says that early in his profession on the community, Wells made undesirable sexual advances when he visited the producer’s residence, in keeping with a federal lawsuit filed Monday within the Southern District of New York. Fox Information can also be named as a defendant within the go well with, which accuses the corporate of negligence.
The incident described within the 20-page go well with dates again to 2008, when Wells was a producer for Greta Van Susteren, who was then a Fox Information anchor. Wells grew to become producer of Carlson’s program in 2017, overseeing its rise into turning into the most-watched program on cable information. He finally held the title of senior government producer and vice chairman.
Carlson’s program, which had misplaced its main promoting help as a result of host’s inflammatory remarks about race and immigration and conspiracy theories in regards to the Jan. 6 revolt, was pulled off the air on April 24. Wells was terminated the identical day.
A Fox Information consultant didn’t have an instantaneous touch upon the matter. Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer for Wells, stated in an announcement that her consumer “denies the allegations unequivocally, and can contest them vigorously.”
Dhillon known as the go well with “one other try by a regulation agency with a historical past of suing Fox and its former staff to money in on frivolous allegations.”
Based on the go well with, Wells contacted Delancey on Aug. 3, 2007, by way of direct messages on Fb. Wells stated he was a producer on the Fox-owned TV station WNYW and had previously labored on the firm’s Tampa station the place Delancey was employed on the time. Of their messages, Delancey expressed a need to work in New York.
Delancey was employed in 2008 to work for Fox Information Edge, a service that coordinates information content material with Fox TV associates. Delancey didn’t report back to Wells, however was assigned duties for Van Susteren’s program.
The go well with stated Wells made it clear to Delancey on multiple event that he may assist his profession at Fox Information.
When Delancey expressed unhappiness about his wage at Fox Information, Wells provided to advocate him for the next paying place on the NBC station in New York. Wells additionally invited Delancey to a get along with different co-workers on the Barracuda Lounge, a homosexual bar in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Delancey stated he met up with Wells, who advised they first go as much as his one-bedroom residence for a “pre-game cocktail.”
Delancey was served a vodka with cranberry juice. Wells then allegedly compelled Delancey onto his mattress and “violently compelled his tongue” into his mouth, in keeping with the go well with.
Wells then tried to drag off Delancey’s denims and grabbed his genitals. Delancey’s go well with stated he yelled “no” and was capable of “decelerate the assault.”
Delancey stated he satisfied Wells that they need to head again to the Barracuda Lounge. Wells agreed however needed Delancey to see the view from the rooftop of his residence constructing. As they went up the stairwell, Wells attacked him once more, placing his hand down the entrance of Delancey’s pants, in keeping with the go well with.
Delancey pulled away and advised Wells to cease. He left the residence constructing and didn’t return to the bar.
Delancey continued to pursue the job on the NBC station. He was not employed and believes Wells withdrew his suggestion.
After the interview, Delancey stated Wells advised him he was “was not pondering straight” and “screwing himself over.” He believed Wells was telling him he was hurting himself by not giving in to his sexual advances.
Delancey stated when he mentioned the incident together with his supervisor at Fox Information Edge, the superior discouraged him from reporting it to human sources. He stated he talked about the incidence to feminine staff on the firm who advised them they’d additionally been harassed by Wells.
Delancey stated his profession development on the firm stopped, and he returned to his earlier place on the Fox TV station in Tampa.
Delancey recounted the main points of the alleged incident — with no point out of Wells — in a 2017 Fb put up to point out solidarity with ladies who have been telling their harassment tales through the #MeToo motion. Wells reached out to Delancey to supply help.
Delancey stated Wells wrote, “Hey. Noticed your put up. I’m sorry that occurred to you. Who was it?” in keeping with the go well with. Delancey didn’t reply.
Delancey is looking for a jury trial. He filed his declare underneath the New York Grownup Survivors Act, which briefly opened a window to bypass the statute of limitations in New York for submitting a civil sexual abuse lawsuit.
Earlier this yr, Fox Information paid a $12-million settlement to former producer Abby Grossberg, who claimed she confronted sexual harassment and a hostile work atmosphere whereas working for Carlson’s program the place Wells was a supervisor. Delancey is being represented by the identical regulation agency, Filappatos PLLC in New York.
Fox Information has been the defendant in numerous sexual harassment lawsuits and has paid thousands and thousands to settle different claims since former anchor Gretchen Carlson sued founding chief government Roger Ailes in 2016. The corporate has taken measures to deal with the deficiencies in dealing with such issues lately since underneath present chief government Suzanne Scott.
