Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly called a new report by the New York Times “lies and smears.” The Times article said that 21st Century Fox had signed O’Reilly to a contract extension months after O’Reilly reached a $32 million sexual harassment settlement with Lis Wiehl, according to USA Today.
The settlement was one of several such deals including O’Reilly, the Times article revealed. His contract was renewed in February, but he was later fired in April after some of the settlements were first revealed by the Times. According to USA Today, O’Reilly was “unapologetic” on Twitter.
My investigative team has done a superb job in exposing the lies and smear. I will speak with you on Monday.
— Bill O’Reilly (@BillOReilly) October 21, 2017
Spokesman Mark Fabiani made a statement, which O’Reilly also posted, saying, “once again… maliciously smeared Bill O’Reilly, this time even failing to print a sworn affidavit from his former lawyer, Lis Wiehl, repudiating all allegations,” according to USA Today.
Fabiani continued by accusing the Times of ignoring sworn evidence, reports USA Today, in favor of “unsubstantiated allegations, anonymous sources and incomplete leaked or stolen documents.”
The Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt wrote the article with Emily Steel. Schmidt tweeted that O’Reilly, “falsely says our story didn’t mention affidavit Lise Wiehl signed,” and points out two mentions in the article, USA Today reports.
.@BillOReilly’s statement falsely says our story didn’t mention affidavit Lise Wiehl signed. Here are both references cc:@markfabiani pic.twitter.com/Vs4pskUoc9
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) October 21, 2017
The Times also issued a statement through the Associated Press, saying, “Mr. Fabiani addresses everything but what the story actually says. This article, like our previous reporting on the subject, is accurate and deeply reported and we welcome any challenge to the facts,” according to USA Today.
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