Read what Roger Ailes wrote to Rupert Murdoch after resigning
Roger Ailes on Thursday sent a letter to boss Rupert Murdoch in the aftermath of being stripped of his duties as Fox News chief, telling the media mogul that he would not allow "my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done" at the network.
The letter, first reported by Drudge Report and confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, also went on to tout Ailes many accomplishments during a storied two-decade long career building both Fox News and Fox Business channels. The cable news impresario was ousted from his job after anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit on July 6 that accused him of sexual harassment, and the ensuing weeks drew out other complaints from colleagues as pressure built for him to step down.
Murdoch was said to have cut a vacation short to fly back to New York to help hammer out a resignation agreement with Ailes, who was at Fox News' midtown headquarters this week. Parent company 21st Century Fox has been in the midst of an internal investigation into the claims made by Carlson and later said to have been echoed by others such as Fox personality Megyn Kelly.
See photos of Roger Ailes through the years:
Financial details of Ailes' separation from Fox was not released, but sources inside the company say it is about $40 million. He will become a consultant for Fox News for the next year.
Read More: Roger Ailes Resigns as Fox News Chief After Sexual Harassment Accusations
Here is the letter Ailes sent to Murdoch:
Dear Rupert,
With your support, I am proud that we have built Fox News and Fox Business Channels into powerful and lucrative news organizations that inform our audience and reward our shareholders. I take particular pride in the role that I have played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted to executive and on-air positions. Many of these talented journalists have deservedly become household names known for their intelligence and strength, whether reporting the news, fair and balanced, and offering exciting opinions on our opinion programs. Fox News has become Number 1 in all of cable because I consistently identified and promoted the most talented men and women in television, and they performed at the highest levels.
Having spent 20 years building this historic business, I will not allow my presence to become a distraction from the work that must be done every day to ensure that Fox News and Fox Business continue to lead our industry. I am confident that everyone at Fox News and Fox Business will continue as the standard setters that they are, and that the businesses are well positioned for even greater success in the future.
I am proud of our accomplishments and look forward to continuing to work with you as an adviser in building 21st Century Fox.
All the best,
Roger.
Read More: Gretchen Carlson Declares Victory Over Roger Ailes: "Courage Caused a Seismic Shift"
RELATED: See photos of Megyn Kelly through the years:
