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Fox News boss Roger Ailes resigns amid sexual harassment claims

Fox News boss Roger Ailes resigns amid sexual harassment claims

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Rupert Murdoch is taking over

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Roger Ailes, the controversial Fox News head embroiled in an ongoing sexual harassment scandal, has resigned, 21st Century Fox announced this afternoon. Ailes served as chairman and CEO of both Fox News and the Fox Business Network, and was chairman of Fox Television Stations Group as well. In his place, Rupert Murdoch — whose family owns both 21st Century Fox and News Corporation — will assume the role of chairman and CEO of Fox News and Fox Business Channel. His departure brings to an end a two-decade career building the conservative Fox into one of the most popular and divisive media empires of the modern age.

Ailes' resignation brings an end to weeks of intense scrutiny over his role at the company after former Fox commentator Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the executive. In the wake of Carlson's filing, numerous other employees alleged Ailes sexual harassed them as well. Just this week, Megyn Kelly told investigators she too suffered "unwanted sexual advances" from Ailes at the start of her career at Fox about a decade ago. It was Kelly's claims, alongside an internal inquiry, that sealed Ailes' fate, and the last week at Fox has been characterized by speculation and tension over his inevitable departure.