The drama between Fox News host Charles Payne and political commentator Scottie Nell Hughes took a dramatic turn on Monday. The former Fox analyst claims she was blacklisted after notifying the network that Mr. Payne raped her in 2013.
New York Times reports:
Fox News, which for more than a year has dealt with the fallout from an embarrassing sexual harassment scandal, was sued on Monday by the political commentator Scottie Nell Hughes, who claimed that she had been raped by the longtime anchor Charles Payne and was then retaliated against by the network after she came forward with her allegation.
Mr. Payne, the host of “Making Money” on Fox Business, returned to the air earlier this month after the network suspended him in Julypending an investigation into his conduct. Upon his return, the network said that it had completed the investigation, which came after Ms. Hughes brought her allegations to the network in late June.
Representatives for Mr. Payne could not immediately be reached for comment, but he has previously denied claims from Ms. Hughes. In a statement released on July 7, his lawyer, Jonathan N. Halpern, said: “Charles Payne vehemently denies the allegations. He will defend himself vigorously against these claims and will hold those responsible to account.”
In her lawsuit, Ms. Hughes said that Mr. Payne had “pressured” his way into her hotel room in July 2013 and coerced her to have sexual intercourse with him, even though she had refused his advances by telling him “no” and “stop.”
The news comes as Payne is set to return to Fox News after being suspended following claims of sexual harassment.
Variety reports:
Fox Business Network host Charles Payne will return to his early-evening perch at the outlet following an investigation into claims of sexual harassment, the network confirmed Friday.
The latest development in a series of personnel issues that have plagued the Fox News operations owned by 21st Century Fox was previously reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Payne is expected to return to hosting the program “Making Money” this evening, the network said in a statement.
What’s notable concerning Scottie Nell Hughes’ explosive accusation is that it is only coming to light now — months after news broke about their alleged affair. Hughes is also suing Dianne Brandi, EVP of legal & business affairs at Fox News, and Irena Briganti, the network’s EVP of corporate communications for allegedly “knowingly and maliciously aided and abetted the unlawful employment practices, discrimination and retaliation” against her.
Red Alert Politics obtained emails between Charles Payne and Scottie Nell Hughes dated September 3rd, 2013.
Red Alert Politics reports:
“Do you know what I keep dreaming about.. You and I in the pool… My legs wrapped around your waste and you have me pressed up against the wall of the pool,” Hughes wrote. “Skin glistening and smelling of coconut… You thrusting yourself deeper inside with each push… And your fingers grasping each of my cheeks,” Hughes wrote.
Hughes told Payne in a second e-mail on that day that he would have to save all of his energy if they ever were “given the chance of lots of time and no commitments.”
Another email shows Hughes describing them interacting in the morning as “the ideal way to start a Saturday or any day for that matter.”
