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Accuser who settled over harassment accusations sues Bill O'Reilly, Fox News
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Accuser who settled over harassment accusations sues Bill O'Reilly, Fox News

Rachel Witlieb Bernstein — a woman who settled with Bill O'Reilly in 2002 over allegations of mistreatment while working together at Fox News — is suing O'Reilly and her former employer, Fox News, for defamation.

What happened?

According to the New York Times, Bernstein, a former producer at Fox News, filed a complaint on Monday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, stating that both O'Reilly and Fox News broke a non-disparagement clause that was included in the original 2002 settlement.

According to Bernstein's 2017 lawsuit, O'Reilly did not sexually harass her. However, she did allege that O’Reilly mistreated her "frequently and in front of numerous witnesses."

She reportedly left Fox News due to "severe mistreatment and abuse by Mr. O'Reilly."

The Times in April reported that O’Reilly reportedly shouted at Bernstein, who was named in the report, in front of witnesses.

The Times report noted that the incidents were detailed by former and current Fox employees. Bernstein was adamant that she never spoke to the Times for its report.

The Times reported that Bernstein was suing O'Reilly and Fox, as the terms of the 2002 settlement prohibited either party from discussing the case.

In the lawsuit, Bernstein alleges that O'Reilly violated the clause in April and throughout the remainder of the years by speaking with the Times and other outlets about settlement payouts that he and Fox made over harassment claims.

Bernstein also alleges that what he said about women involved in the settlements were lies.

Neil Mullin, one of Bernstein's lawyers, in a statement Monday said, "Knowing Ms. Bernstein and O'Reilly's other victims are afraid to speak out because he and Fox forced them to sign non-disclosure agreements, O'Reilly and Fox have made false and disparaging claims."

"They should release all victims from their NDAs and let the truth out," Mullin added. "It is cowardly to publicly attack these women knowing they have been subjected to contractual provisions requiring absolute silence."

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