Can you imagine the fear and disgust that might result if this 76-year-old man—that prepossessing hunk of burning love on the left—kept pressuring you to have sex with him?


What if he—your boss—told you that there was one person he wanted to be stranded on a desert island with, and it was you?

What if he told you to turn around so he could check out your ass? What if he urged you to wear certain outfits "every day" because they "enhanced" your figure? What if he commented repeatedly on your legs? What if you felt like you were being treated unfairly, so you met with him, and he told you:

I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you'd be good and better and I'd be good and better.

These are the allegations former Fox and Friends personality Gretchen Carlson has aired publicly today by filing a lawsuit against her former boss, Roger Ailes. (Click that link to read the whole thing.) Ailes and Fox News deny the allegations—see the update at the end of this post—and nothing has been proven in a court of law.

Carlson is a graduate of Stanford University and was Miss America in 1989. According to her lawsuit, Ailes also embarrassed her "by stating to others in her presence that he had 'slept' with three former Miss Americas but not with her."

She also alleges retaliation from Ailes: He fired her last month.

An editor at CNNMoney calls the lawsuit "so stunning," and links to a piece that points out that "Representatives for Ailes did not immediately respond to requests for comment." A lawyer for Carlson emphasizes that she "is only suing Ailes, not the network."

The New York Times says:

The nature of Ms. Carlson’s allegations immediately transfixed the world of television news, where Mr. Ailes is a hugely influential figure known for demanding absolute loyalty from his employees.

A spokeswoman for Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ailes's bosses haven't commented yet either:


UPDATE 5:15 PM: We just got a statement from Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes. It says:

Gretchen Carlson’s allegations are false. This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup. When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit. Ironically, FOX News provided her with more on-air opportunities over her 11 year tenure than any other employer in the industry, for which she thanked me in her recent book. This defamatory lawsuit is not only offensive, it is wholly without merit and will be defended vigorously.