WASHINGTON • The world knew that Megyn Kelly, the star anchor at Fox News, has alleged that nowousted Fox News chief Roger Ailes sexually harassed her about a decade ago, before she became a host.
Those allegations were among many - prompted by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson's sexual harassment suit - that forced the ouster of Mr Ailes in July. As part of an inquiry by a New York law firm, Kelly came forward with her explosive story.
What people did not know were the details. That is changing, thanks to leaks from her book, Settle For More, which will be released on Nov 15.
Radar Online reports that Kelly, 45, wrote in the book that she received word from her managing editor that she had "captured the attention of Mr Ailes". She was called in to meet him at Fox News' Manhattan offices.
"Roger began pushing the limits," she alleges. "There was a pattern to his behaviour. I would be called into Roger's office, he would shut the door and, over the next hour or two, he would engage in a kind of catand-mouse game with me - veering between obviously inappropriate sexually charged comments (e.g. about the 'very sexy bras' I must have and how he'd like to see me in them) and legitimate professional advice."
Megyn Kelly writes about ousted Fox News chief Roger Ailes' alleged sexual harassment in her book, Settle For More, which will be released on Nov 15. PHOTO: MEGYN KELLY/FACEBOOK The account overlaps with the stories of many women who have come forward to detail their experiences with the 76-year-old television whiz who founded Fox News and turned it into a ratings powerhouse.
Kelly writes that he volunteered to promote her "in exchange for sexual favours", a dubious trade-off that she says she rejected at every turn.
However, Mr Ailes felt the licence to proceed.
His actions escalated in January 2006. Kelly says in the book that "he crossed a new line - trying to grab me repeatedly and kiss me on the lips".
When she shoved him away, she alleges, "he asked me an ominous question: 'When is your contract up?' And then, for the third time, he tried to kiss me".
Six months later, Kelly reported Mr Ailes to a "supervisor", who is unnamed in Radar's account.
She felt pressure over the summer as the allegations against him mounted. A campaign among Fox Newsers to stick up for him knocked on her door.
"I was approached several times, and several times I refused," she writes in the book, according to Radar. "There was no way I was going to lie to protect him."
Mr Ailes' lawyer issued a statement: "This is what Kelly had to say about Roger Ailes only one year ago on the Charlie Rose programme, 'I really care about Roger. And he has been nothing but good to me. And he's been very loyal. And he's had my back. And he's looked out for me.'
"Mr Ailes denies her allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct of any kind."
WASHINGTON POST
