Bill O’Reilly Hit With Defamation Lawsuit From Former Fox News Anchor

Laurie Dhue accuses O’Reilly of launching “smear campaign” against her

Bill O'Reilly
Fox

Former Fox News anchor Laurie Dhue has filed a defamation lawsuit against Bill O’Reilly, claiming that he launched a “smear campaign” against her after a New York Times report revealed last year that she was paid $1 million in a settlement over sexual harassment accusation against him and Roger Ailes.

The lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court states that “O’Reilly published false statements about Dhue — as well as the other women — calling her a liar, swearing that her allegations were fabricated in an effort to obtain a settlement, falsely asserting that her purported claims against O’Reilly were politically motivated, and lying by saying that he only paid settlements to avoid having his family go through litigation, not because he had engaged in the claimed sexual misconduct,” read the suit.

Dhue worked as an anchor for Fox News from 2000 to 2008 and regularly appeared on “The O’Reilly Factor” as a guest.

“O’Reilly ensured that these statements were distributed widely, attempting to sacrifice the character reputation of Dhue and the other women mentioned,” the lawsuit continues.

O’Reilly has denied the sexual harassment accusations made against him by Dhue and other women, and called the Times report last April a “malicious smear.”

On Thursday, his attorney, Fredric S. Newman, said in a statement to The Hill: “Dhue’s filing has absolutely no merit. Mr. O’Reilly has never mentioned Dhue, and any attention she has received has been the result of her own actions.

“Mr. O’Reilly will defend himself in court fully and aggressively against all unfounded, opportunistic claims, and he will seek all appropriate legal remedies as well.”

Newman did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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