Geraldo Rivera has dismissed former Fox News host Andrea Tantaros’ sexual harassment lawsuit against the network and former boss Roger Ailes as “a vindictive screed designed to damage reputations.”
Rivera, who is still employed by the cable news network, made his feelings known on Tuesday during a heated Twitter exchange with CNN’s Brian Stelter, who founded TVNewser, which is mentioned throughout the lawsuit.
That some allegations vs #FoxNews personnel obviously false is 1 thing-That @brianstelter & other competitors embrace crap shows true intent
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) August 23, 2016
Lawsuit you reference is not sincere legal document. It is a vindictive screed designed to damage reputations & hurt feelings
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) August 23, 2016
Tantaros’ lawsuit, filed Monday in New York State Supreme Court, claims “Fox News and Ailes acted with malice and reckless indifference.”
“Fox News masquerades as a defender of traditional family values, but behind the scenes, it operates like a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency and misogyny,” the suit reads.
This isn’t the first time Rivera has defended his former boss. Last month, Rivera tweeted, “Oh the grotesque unfairness of life,” only minutes after 21st Century Fox announced that Ailes was stepping down as boss of Fox News Channel amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Two days prior to Ailes’ resignation, Rivera had tweeted, “Don’t believe the crap about #RogerAiles. Only ones talking dirt are those who hate #FoxNews & want to hurt network that’s kicking their ass.”
The defendants in Tantaros’ suit are listed as Fox News, Ailes, Shine and network execs Dianne Brandi, Irena Briganti and Suzanne Scott. Tantaros’ attorney, Judd Burstein, declined TheWrap’s request for comment, while Fox News declined to comment on pending litigation.