The Real Reason Andrew Napolitano Is Out At Fox News

Regular viewers of Fox News may have noticed that legal analyst Andrew Napolitano, also known as Judge Napolitano, hasn't been seen on the network in a while — and now the reason why has been revealed.

Napolitano first began his career with Fox News back in 2006 when he appeared alongside Brian Kilmeade on the Fox News Radio series "Brian and the Judge." Napolitano left the show in 2010, at which time it was rebranded as "Kilmeade and Friends," though the judge continued to appear on its TV equivalent. Napolitano has become a familiar face as a regular on Fox News, often sharing his two cents on legal stories while also appearing on "Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano." Napolitano cemented his place on the news network in 2012 when he replaced Glenn Beck on his daily show and became pretty popular with viewers (per The Wrap).

But Napolitano's career and his time on the channel certainly haven't been without controversy. Per CNN, he took a week-long break from the Fox News airwaves in 2017 after making claims about former President Barack Obama.

Now, Napolitano is absent from the channel once again — potentially for good — amid some serious allegations.

It was confirmed in August that Andrew Napolitano is officially no longer employed by Fox News after being accused of alleged "sexual harassment." Per Variety, Fox News associate producer John Fawcett — an employee on the Fox Business Network show "Kudlow" — alleged that the now former Fox News contributor had "sexually harassed numerous young male employees" while working at the news station.

In a statement, Fox News confirmed Napolitano's departure, stating that he and the network had "parted ways." The statement added, "We take all allegations of misconduct seriously, are committed to providing a safe, transparent, and collaborative workplace environment for all our employees and took immediate, appropriate action." That appeared to be in relation to Fawcett's claim he allegedly told the human resources department at the network about the purported allegations, but claimed Napolitano was not reprimanded immediately. In retort, Fox News claimed it "immediately investigated the claims and addressed the matter with both parties."

"Furthermore, the additional allegations laid out in this claim are completely baseless and nothing more than a desperate attempt at a payday by trying the case in the court of public opinion as the complaint does not meet the standards of the law," the statement continued, as Fawcett also made claims about fellow Fox News regular Larry Kudlow. Fox News added, "We will defend the matter vigorously in court."

Napolitano doesn't appear to have spoken publicly about his departure or the allegations.

Andrew Napolitano also faced separate allegations of "sexual misconduct" in 2020, per Deadline. Napolitano was accused of allegedly offering a defendant "a more lenient sentence in exchange" for sexual acts, while a second allegation was made by a "waiter who claimed sexual assault." The waiter accused the television personality of allegedly sexually assaulting him multiple times between 2014 and 2017, via NorthJersey.com.

Napolitano denied the initial allegation about an alleged offer for a more "lenient sentence" in a statement via his attorney, Tom Clare (per NorthJersey.com). He responded, "These accusations are completely false. Full stop. I have never done anything like what the accuser describes, at any time, to anyone, for any reason. I have never had any personal relationship or inappropriate contact or communication of any kind with the man making this accusation. Each and every one of his claims against me are pure fiction. Period."

Napolitano's attorney also went on to then deny the second round of claims in another statement. "This copycat lawsuit... is nothing more than a pile-on attempt to smear Judge Napolitano for their own financial gain," Clare claimed.

The allegations made against Andrew Napolitano aren't the first time instances of sexual harassment have occurred at Fox News. The cable news station was fined $1 million back in June after reaching a settlement in a sexual harassment investigation. According to USA Today, the investigation began after a "series of high-profile reports alleging a culture of pervasive sexual harassment and retaliation at the network." As part of the settlement, Fox News was required to "institute a policy and complaint procedure" for harassment and discrimination claims, in an effort to "create long-term change."

The "high-profile reports" in question were the basis for the blockbuster film "Bombshell" which told the story behind the sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes, former chief of Fox News, that was brought forth by former Fox News journalist Gretchen Carlson in 2016. Ailes left the network after multiple claims against him surfaced in the network before his death in 2017. Other Fox News names to face misconduct accusations included Bill O'Reilly and Ed Henry.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).