An ex-Fox News contributor claims that a network executive once tried
to force her into performing oral sex while the two were alone in his
office — and Fox's parent company has settled the explosive allegations
for $2.5 million.
Tamara Holder, a longtime political commentator at the network, reached
the settlement with 21st Century Fox last month after she had accused
ex-Fox News Latino vice president Francisco Cortes of sexually
assaulting her two years ago, four people briefed on the matter told The New York Times.
Cortes apparently invited Holder, 37, to his office at Fox News'
Midtown headquarters in February 2015, according to a document outlining
the allegations. When Holder came into the office, the ex-executive
closed the door behind her, poured two shots of tequila and asked her to
sit down, according to the document.
Cortes then allegedly took out his penis and pushed Holder's mouth
toward it with his right hand while blocking the office door with his
left. Holder broke loose and fled, according to the document.
Holder didn't immediately report the shocking allegations, fearing that
her career would be ruined, according to sources. She came forward with
the accusations this fall and Fox subsequently launched an
investigation that concluded in Cortes' ouster.
Holder cut ties with Fox as soon as her contract expired on Jan. 1.
Cortes has not publicly commented on the allegations against him and he could not immediately be reached for comment.
Fox News acknowledged that Holder in September "reported an incident of
sexual assault at Fox News headquarters from the prior year."
"Immediately after Ms. Holder notified Fox News of the alleged
incident, the Company promptly investigated the matter and took decisive
action, for which Ms. Holder thanks the network," Fox and Holder said
in a joint statement to the Daily News. "Fox News is grateful to Ms.
Holder for her many contributions during her tenure at the network and
wishes her continued success."
Fox apparently first offered Holder a $300,000 severance package after
she came forward with the explosive allegations to a Fox lawyer amid the
swirling Ailes scandal, sources told to The Times. But Holder rejected
the offer, and retained a lawyer.
As is common in settlements, Holder is prohibited from publicly discussing specific details about her case.
But in an email to The Times on Wednesday, Holder expressed solidarity with other victims of sexual assault.
"Moving forward, I hope that my 'toxicity' has transformed into
authenticity and that my career is not over," she wrote. "I hope that
every man, woman, and child who has been sexually assaulted, or a victim
of any crime for that matter, comes to the realization that they have
not done anything wrong; they are not toxic."
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