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Former Fox Sports anchor alleges network executive sexually assaulted her in 2016

BBG News

2016 saw former Fox Sports host and journalist, Julie Stewart-Binks, allege that one of her previous superiors at the network had sexually assaulted her on a balcony outside his hotel room in Marina del Rey.

A legal claim made in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday asserts that FS1’s content executive producer Charlie Dixon physically restrained Stewart-Binks, aggressively pushed his body against hers, and attempted to forcefully kiss her after they initially met to talk about a future program.

Eventually, Stewart-Binks managed to pull away from Dixon, as stated in the lawsuit. However, shortly after this incident, her contract with Fox was not extended further. In June 2017, once she had completed her work for Fox, Stewart-Binks was summoned by their human resources department for an interview as part of an investigation into a separate Fox executive, according to the filing.

In that interview, as a passionate cinephile speaking up about the issue, I shared with HR my concerns regarding an alleged incident involving Dixon. I expressed that it was me who should be under investigation instead. The lawsuit claims that, rather than addressing the situation, Fox made the regrettable and deliberate choice to shield Dixon, enabling a suspected sexual predator to continue holding a high-ranking position at Fox for almost a decade.

Sports

According to court documents, Noushin Faraji alleges that former Fox Sports host Skip Bayless made inappropriate sexual proposals towards her, such as suggesting a payment of $1.5 million for a sexual encounter, which she finds disturbing.

The legal claim accuses several parties, namely Dixon, Fox Sports, and their umbrella organization, Fox Corporation, of sexual misconduct and unwanted physical contact, serving as the basis for the charges against them all.

According to The Times, they could not contact Dixon via Fox Sports regarding the lawsuit and its claims. When The Times inquired about the case and its accusations, Fox Sports responded with an email stating: “The accusations are older than eight years. Upon receiving these allegations, we immediately engaged a third-party agency for investigation, and we acted on their findings at that time.

Fox didn’t disclose the results of the third-party investigation.

Back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to join the dynamic team at FS1 as an anchor and reporter. Among my responsibilities with this innovative network, I hosted a daily soccer program, reported live from the Winter Olympics in Sochi, and served as the Ducks’ sideline reporter during that same year. Then, in early 2016, according to court documents, my colleague Jason Whitlock from Fox Sports expressed interest in having me guest on his show during Super Bowl week.

The filing indicates that Stewart-Binks had a meeting with Dixon at a hotel bar on January 27, 2016, for discussing potential ideas for Whitlock’s show. However, the conversation allegedly veered into an unusual direction, as per the lawsuit, with Dixon reportedly saying to Stewart-Binks things like “you lack humor, intrigue, or skill” and “you’re not attractive enough to be a TV personality.

Finally, the grievance mentions that Dixon proposed to Stewart a visit to his room for a drink and a view – an invitation she first refused but later agreed to, seemingly unwillingly.

Sports

Three former Fox Sports commentators are currently debating a legal dispute involving a hairdresser and Skip Bayless, Joy Taylor, and Charlie Dixon.

According to the lawsuit, as Miss Stewart-Binks stood on the balcony gazing into the night, Dixon quickly shoved her against the wall and restrained her arms. With her arms immobilized and his body pressed against hers, Dixon attempted to push his tongue into her mouth. However, Miss Stewart-Binks kept her mouth closed tightly.

Dixon disregarded her, persisting in pressing himself against her body and licking her shut mouth. With one arm holding hers restrained, he shifted his other arm from pinning her against the wall by her upper elbow to hugging her torso and moving it towards her chest. At this moment of brief release, Ms. Stewart-Binks took advantage to shove him off, exclaim “get away from me”, and swiftly depart from the hotel room.

As stated in the lawsuit, Stewart-Binks phoned her mother upon returning home and shared what was claimed to have transpired. The lawsuit further mentions that they both decided it would be prudent for Ms. Stewart-Binks to avoid speaking about the incident, as doing so might jeopardize the career she had diligently built up.

Stewart-Binks initially landed a job on Whitlock’s show, but later learned through her agents that Fox opted not to extend her contract. Since then, she has pursued work within the industry, taking on projects for ESPN and other platforms. However, the lawsuit alleges that after her departure from Fox, Dixon may have utilized his connections to sabotage her career progression.

Stewart-Binks is pursuing undisclosed compensation and also requests an order, such as one that requires Fox to take swift and effective actions to prevent ongoing sexual assault and battery. At the very least, this should involve dismissing the individuals responsible, along with those who supported or shielded them, without providing severance pay.

Recently in Los Angeles County Superior Court, hairstylist Noushin Faraji brought forward a civil lawsuit against Dixon, Fox Sports, Fox Corp., along with former host Skip Bayless and current host Joy Taylor. This lawsuit claims that during her over-a-decade employment at the network, Faraji experienced a toxic work environment marked by misogyny, racism, and ableism. The allegations state that executives and talent were permitted to physically and verbally abuse employees without consequences.

As stated in Stewart-Binks’ grievance, following the filing of the lawsuit by Faraji, she contacted Faraji to find out what assistance she could provide. The complaint indicates that “Ms. Faraji merely requested that Ms. Stewart-Binks share her account with the world,” according to the statement.

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2025-02-01 05:31

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