Fox News host Eric Bolling is suing Huffington Post contributor Yashar Ali following the publication of a bombshell sexual harassment claim which led to his suspension on Saturday night. The report claims that Bolling sent unsolicited dick pics to at least three colleagues at Fox several years ago – according to a dozen sources – including some of the recipients.
Ali writes in Huffpo that “Recipients of the photo confirmed its contents to HuffPost, which is not revealing their identities,” adding that the women who are current and former Fox employees, “concluded the message was from him because they recognized his number from previous work-related and informal interactions.”
The women did not solicit the messages, which they told colleagues were deeply upsetting and offensive. One of the recipients said that when she replied to Bolling via text, telling him never to send her such photos again, he did not respond. Four people, outside of the recipients, confirmed to HuffPost they’d seen the photo, and eight others said the recipients had spoken to them about it. -HuffPo
Accuser steps up in DIFFERENT case
Hours after Bolling was suspended over the claims made in HuffPo, frequent Fox News guest from 2008 – 2011, Caroline Heldman, came forward, claiming the Fox News host sexually harassed her with an unspecified number of advances.
“[Bolling] said he wanted to fly me out to New York for in-studio hits and to have ‘fun.’ He asked me to have meals with him on several occasions, but I found excuses not to go,” Heldman wrote in a lengthy Facebook post. “Once, he took me up to his office in New York, showed me his baseball jerseys, and in the brief time I was there, let me know that his office was his favorite place to have sex.” –Philly.com
Twitter announcements
Following his suspension, Bolling filed a defamation suit against Ali for $50 million in damages, announced by Ali over Twitter yesterday afternoon.
Just received a summons. Eric Bolling is suing me for defamation – $50 million in damages. I stand by my reporting + will protect my sources
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) August 9, 2017
The summons, filed in a New York state court on Wednesday, details both damages and injunctive relief, claiming Ali tried to injure his reputation through “intentional and/or highly reckless publication of actionable false and misleading statements.”
HuffPo Backs Ali
In response to the summons, HuffPo stood by Ali, saying in a statemtn that “Yashar Ali is a careful and meticulous reporter. We stand by his reporting.” Editor-in-chief Lydia Polgreen also wrote on Twitter “Yashar Ali is a paid freelancer under contract with HuffPost. We have no hesitation about standing by him financially in this case.”
Yashar Ali is a paid freelancer under contract with HuffPost. We have no hesitation about standing by him financially in this case.
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) August 9, 2017
According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Because Bolling is a public figure, to succeed on a defamation claim he will have to prove Ali either knew the information was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. He has retained Michael Bowe and Ronald Rossi from Kasowitz Benson Torres — the firm whose name partner Marc Kasowitz reps President Donald Trump.”
Damage control
Meanwhile, Bolling took to Twitter Wednesday night to thank people for their support and reaffirm his dedication to “fight against these false smear attacks!”
I will continue to fight against these false smear attacks! THANK YOU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) August 9, 2017
Overwhelmed by all the support I have received. Thank you
I look forward to clearing my name asap
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) August 7, 2017
Reactions from around the web
When Andrew Breitbart exposed the Anthony Weiner sexting scandal he had actual photos…tell me you have photos…otherwise you are doomed! https://t.co/c21bwwtTv6
— Ed (@DowdEdward) August 10, 2017
Bolling's short-sighted lawsuit that can lead to embarrassing discovery was filed by none other than… Kasowitz, aka Trump's lawyer https://t.co/CN31cmohfq
— Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) August 9, 2017
#FoxNewsSpecialists Bill O'Relliy Eric Bolling didn't commit "sexual assault". These resistance feminists are going after conservatives??? pic.twitter.com/RfwmSN1UPl
— CindyForTrump (@immigrant_legal) August 8, 2017
If you enjoy the content at iBankCoin, please follow us on TwitterJust after Bolling publishes a book literally called 'The Swamp' – he's the target of a massive demonization campaign
Just a coincidence. ? https://t.co/tkIPkOubtk
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) August 7, 2017
They better have Bolling’s dick picks so the all gay jury can make a positive ID with Bolling’s schwantz out of his pants on witness stand.
I think they are just trying to shame the guy, from what I understand, he only sent these women selfies… it isn’t his fault his face looks like a flaccid penis. Common misconception, should get a fine settlement out of it.
Nate,
How familiar are you with the face/penis misconception?
Best,
Metal