Fox Suspends Business Network Host Charles Payne

He's accused of sexually harassing political analyst
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 7, 2017 2:34 AM CDT
Fox Host Accused of Harassment, Suspended
Charles Payne of the Fox Business Network appears on "Varney & Co." in New York.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

More upheaval at Fox: The company has confirmed that longtime Fox Business Network host Charles Payne has been suspended while sexual harassment allegations are investigated. Payne admitted to the National Enquirer earlier this week that he had been involved in a three-year extramarital affair with a married political analyst who frequently appeared on Fox shows, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sources say the network's investigation began after the woman hired a lawyer, saying her Fox appearances had been cut after she ended the affair with Making Money host Payne in 2015.

"We take issues of this nature extremely seriously and have a zero tolerance policy for any professional misconduct," the network said in a statement, adding that it's "taking all of the appropriate steps to reach a resolution in a timely manner." Variety notes that Fox is currently being tightly scrutinized by British regulators as part of its attempt to acquire the remaining shares in broadcaster Sky. On Monday, top Fox Sports exec Jamie Horowitz was abruptly fired in a move believed to be linked to Fox's sexual harassment probe. (In May, Fox host Bob Beckel was fired for making a racist remark to an employee.)

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