ilovemovies
10-28-2004, 08:20 PM
From Yahoo:
O'Reilly, Producer Settle Legal Dispute
By SAMUEL MAULL, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Fox News Channel television host Bill O'Reilly and a former producer of his talk show have agreed to settle their legal dispute over her allegations of sexual harassment, O'Reilly's lawyer announced Thursday.
Andrea Mackris had claimed O'Reilly made a series of explicit phone calls to her, advised her to use a vibrator and telling her about sexual fantasies involving her.
O'Reilly actually sued Mackris hours before her case was filed Oct. 13. The talk show host said he was fighting an extortion attempt, that Mackris and her lawyer demanded $60 million in "hush money" to make the case quietly go away.
O'Reilly, who's married, is host of the top-rated prime-time cable news program — and he's seen his ratings go up by 30 percent since the case was filed.
O'Reilly's lawyer, Ronald Green, issued a statement Thursday saying both sides "regret that this matter has caused tremendous pain, and they have agreed to settle. All cases and claims have been withdrawn, and all parties have agreed that there was no wrongdoing whatsoever by Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Mackris, or Ms. Mackris' counsel, Benedict P. Morelli & Associates."
Mackris' lawyer did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
Green's statement also said he and O'Reilly "withdraw any assertion that any extortion by Ms. Mackris, Mr. Morelli" or his law firm occurred.
"Out of respect for their families and privacy, all parties and their representatives have agreed that all information relating to the cases shall remain confidential," Green's statement said.
O'Reilly, Producer Settle Legal Dispute
By SAMUEL MAULL, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Fox News Channel television host Bill O'Reilly and a former producer of his talk show have agreed to settle their legal dispute over her allegations of sexual harassment, O'Reilly's lawyer announced Thursday.
Andrea Mackris had claimed O'Reilly made a series of explicit phone calls to her, advised her to use a vibrator and telling her about sexual fantasies involving her.
O'Reilly actually sued Mackris hours before her case was filed Oct. 13. The talk show host said he was fighting an extortion attempt, that Mackris and her lawyer demanded $60 million in "hush money" to make the case quietly go away.
O'Reilly, who's married, is host of the top-rated prime-time cable news program — and he's seen his ratings go up by 30 percent since the case was filed.
O'Reilly's lawyer, Ronald Green, issued a statement Thursday saying both sides "regret that this matter has caused tremendous pain, and they have agreed to settle. All cases and claims have been withdrawn, and all parties have agreed that there was no wrongdoing whatsoever by Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Mackris, or Ms. Mackris' counsel, Benedict P. Morelli & Associates."
Mackris' lawyer did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
Green's statement also said he and O'Reilly "withdraw any assertion that any extortion by Ms. Mackris, Mr. Morelli" or his law firm occurred.
"Out of respect for their families and privacy, all parties and their representatives have agreed that all information relating to the cases shall remain confidential," Green's statement said.