Fox Business Network host Charles Payne is returning to his job at the network after he was cleared in an internal investigation of sexual harassment claims lodged by a female political analyst who was a frequent guest on his program, reports Stephen Battaglio of the Los Angeles Times.
“I’m back hosting Making Money w/ Charles Payne tonight on @FoxBusiness helping Americans take control of their financial destiny.”
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) September 8, 2017
Battaglio reports, “Payne was investigated on charges from a female political commentator who said she was allegedly coerced into a sexual relationship with him in return for guest appearances on the network.
“Payne acknowledged that he was in a three-year ‘romantic relationship’ with the woman. But he has called the claims of harassment ‘an ugly lie.’
“The woman was never an employee of Fox News but appeared as a guest on numerous Fox News and Fox Business Network programs with the hope of becoming a paid contributor.
“She has told her lawyer, who prepared a legal complaint against Fox News and Payne, that she stayed in the relationship with the host because she believed he would help her chances of landing a paying position at the network. She alleged that her opportunities diminished after the relationship ended in 2015 when Payne’s wife learned of their involvement.”
Read more here.