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CNN Host Claims Fox News 'Spy' Pretended to Date Him to Gather Intel
Roger Ailes (Getty Images)

CNN Host Claims Fox News 'Spy' Pretended to Date Him to Gather Intel

"I thought these were dates. These were not dates."

In the wake of sexual harassment allegations against resigned Fox Television Network CEO Roger Ailes, CNN host Brian Stelter claimed a Fox News "spy" years ago pretended to date him for the purpose of gathering intel.

In an interview Tuesday on CNN's "New Day" with Chris Cuomo, while discussing recent accusations that Ailes spied on journalists, network host Brian Stelter said a "low-level staffer" from Fox News went out on "dates" with him some 10 years ago in order to dig up information and report back to network higher-ups.

 

He later clarified to TheBlaze that he does not necessarily believe the "spy" was hired by Ailes, but confirmed the woman he was going on dates with was "required" to gather information for Fox News. Stelter also noted on Twitter that, at the time the alleged spying took place, Fox News PR was under different leadership.

The alleged spying occurred about an decade ago, Stelter said, back when he was a college student operating the blog TV Newser.

About 10 years ago, I had a crush on a woman at Fox News. She was a low-level staffer. I was in college at the time. So I was going out on what I thought were dates. Chris, I thought these were dates. These were not dates. She was actually reporting back to Fox News about me. She was reporting back about what I thought of her and about CNN and MSNBC and Fox. Because I was a reporter on the beat, they were actually spying on me that way.

Last week, New York Magazine's Gabriel Sherman reported that Fox executives discovered a "black budget" of network revenue Ailes allegedly used for personal purposes such as hiring individuals to spy on his enemies.

After Stelter shared his story of unrequited love on "New Day," Gawker released a piece titled, "Signs You Are Actually Dating a Fox News Spy":

1. She’s actually listening to what you’re saying

2. She says Shep Smith is for sure straight

3. She’s heard of Hamilton Nolan

4. She doesn’t immediately get up and leave when you say the words “Sean Hannity”

5. She asks about John Cook’s kids

6. She makes an unironic reference to the Benghazi movie

7. Peter Sterne follows her on Twitter

8. She says she was never sexually harassed by Roger Ailes

9. You are a reporter and someone expresses interest in dating you

Others were quick to tease the "Reliable Sources" host and his wfie Jamie Stelter, a former Fox affiliate reporter:

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