Ed Henry fired by Fox News after workplace investigation into ‘sexual misconduct’

Fox News Channel said it had terminated veteran anchor Ed Henry after investigating a complaint about “willful sexual misconduct in the workplace.”

Henry, a longtime Washington correspondent who was recently made co-anchor of the Fox Corp.-owned network’s mid-morning program “America’s Newsroom,” was let go quickly after the network received a complaint on June 25 from a former employee about Henry’s behavior from “years ago,” according to a statement from Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace. “Ed was suspended the same day and removed from his on-air responsibilities pending investigation. Based on investigative findings, Ed has been terminated,” the executives said in a statement.

The matter was brought to Fox News by Wigdor LLP, a law firm that has in the past represented several former employees who alleged sexual misconduct or discrimination at the media company.

Henry, who recently gained notice on Fox News by detailing his efforts on the network to donate part of his liver to his sister, has faced allegations about his behavior in the past. In 2016, he took off several months from Fox News after a tabloid report surfaced regarding an extramarital relationship with a woman in Las Vegas. At the time, Fox News said it was “aware of Ed’s personal issues” and noted he would “be taking some time off to work things out.” According to one person familiar with the matter, former Fox News chief Roger Ailes agreed to keep Henry on board despite the bad publicity the report generated, essentially saving his career.

Fox News said rotating anchors would fill in at “America’s Newsroom” for an interim period. Sandra Smith will remain on the program in her co-anchor role.

“Fox News Media strictly prohibits all forms of sexual harassment, misconduct and discrimination,” the network executives said in their statement. “We will continue striving to maintain a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.”