Christina Spicer  |  April 27, 2017

Category: Labor & Employment

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fox-newsCurrent and former Fox News employees have refiled a lawsuit as a potential class action over allegations that the broadcasting company overlooks racist conduct and discriminates against black employees.

In addition, Fox was also hit with a civil action brought by a former employee alleging similar claims.

Lead plaintiffs in the class action say Fox News let a supervisor get away with racial discrimination in the work place. Recently, another plaintiff was added to the litigation, potentially increasing the proposed Class to more than 200 current and former Fox employees who say they were subject to racial discrimination at their place of employment.

“The company fostered a workplace culture where executives believed blatant race discrimination was acceptable,” the Fox News class action lawsuit states. “Further, Fox knowingly ratified and endorsed systemic racial discrimination by its approval of repeated failures to review, promote or increase the pay of black employees.”

“Additionally, Fox participated in internal policies of race discrimination on a systemic basis by knowing that human resources failed to offer black employees the resources or the means to effectively report or complain about race discrimination at Fox,” the class action lawsuit claims.

One of the new plaintiffs includes an Emmy award winning former Fox and Friends show host Kelly Wright who alleges that he was not provided the same opportunities as his white co-hosts, including coverage of the 2016 Presidential Election. Additionally, he claims he was paid less than his co-hosts and subject to racist remarks in the workplace.

The class action alleges that current Fox employee, Dianne Brandi, and a now former employee, Judith Slater, allowed and contributed to a racially hostile work environment. Fox terminated Slater’s employment earlier in the year; however, the plaintiffs allege that at Fox she mocked black employees and the Black Lives Matter movement.

They also allege that Slater made a battery of discriminatory comments about black employees, as well as those of Chinese, Indian, and Mexican descent. The plaintiffs argue that Slater was allowed to get away with such conduct when complaints were made to higher-ups because she had “too much” knowledge of the sexual harassment scandals surrounding the now infamous Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly departures from the network.

A separate complaint filed in New York federal court alleges Fox and its parent company as well as current and former Fox employees discriminated and retaliated against a former employee.

“For years, Fox permitted Slater to subject plaintiff and other dark-skinned employees to a racially hostile work environment without fear of punishment or reprisal, and refused to terminate Slater for her conduct or, upon information and belief, even reprimand her in anyway,” alleges the federal complaint.

The racial discrimination allegations come on the heels of two major sexual harassment scandals for the beleaguered network.

“Fox News and Dianne Brandi vehemently deny the race discrimination claims in both lawsuits,” said a representative for Fox in a statement to Law360. “They are copycat complaints of the original one filed last month. We will vigorously defend these cases.”

The plaintiffs in both lawsuits are represented by Wigdor, Jeanne-Marie Bates Christensen and Michael J. Willemin of Wigdor LLP.

The Fox News Racial Discrimination Class Action Lawsuit is Tichaona Brown et al. v. Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., et al., Case No. 22446-2017E, in the New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County.

The Fox News Federal Lawsuit is Adasa B. v. Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-03017, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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14 thoughts onFox News Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Racial Discrimination

  1. JESSICA PIERCE says:

    Wow

  2. tina woodards says:

    About time

  3. bruce says:

    Are the checks out yet?

  4. Kels says:

    EXCELLENT. Fox News needs to be sued big time!

  5. Major Tucker says:

    How to begin a class action law suite, Comcast Cable of Atlanta or could there already be one. Thank you!

    1. Diane Ward says:

      Same up here in New Hampshire, Major…I’ve dealt with them for years! They have a Facebook page where you can complain, and the guys there really try hard to make you happy…I mean, out of their way. They did for me, anyway. If not, I can give you advice further if you need (hint…they only listen when you say you’ll go above their heads). I’ll try to remember to check back here to see how you made out…

    2. Top Class Actions says:

      We offer a submission form on our website for you to fill out if you are seeking class action legal help. Attorneys will then review your submission to determine if you have a case. If they feel you qualify, they will contact you directly. You can submit your information here: https://topclassactions.com/start-a-class-action/.

  6. Diane Ward says:

    Who are you talking to?

    1. Diane Ward says:

      Oh, I see…nevermind. I see you’re still infected with the Hillary bug, “A Queen”…haha…I feel so sorry for you. I could say more, but I’ll be nice.

  7. Marcia says:

    This is ALL left wing BS!!! Liberals are trying to get rid of FOX – the ONLY TRUE NEWS OUTLET available!! Screw those that don’t like FOX and leave AMERICA if you can’t handle ONE TRUE NEWS OUTLET that is NOT BIAS!!!!

    1. Diane Ward says:

      My thoughts exactly, Marcia!!! Well put!! This is getting totally out of hand…like liberals have been taken over by aliens or something!! Seriously, they all seem to have had “whiny baby syndrome” dust sprinkled all over them!! I think they should take out a lawsuit against CNN and the rest!! Let’s get Judicial Watch after these people!! Sorry, but I’m upset…

      1. Donna Yates says:

        Agree completely! Liberals must have lots of time on their hands is all I can say!

    2. Mark says:

      I heard that!!

    3. Racial Discrimination is NEITHER LF or RW IT'S A HUMAN THING says:

      Get over yourselves. These lawsuits have no political bearing. So it makes absolutely no sense to even bring politics into it. Reread the article VERY SLOWLY this time so you may better comprehend that this IS about racial discrimination. In case you don’t know, racial and sexual discrimination lawsuits have nothing to do with politics. Get out of your tunnel bubble and smarten up.

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