Rape Allegations Rock Former Fox Anchor Ed Henry
When a once-prominent Fox News anchor is accused of rape by a former colleague, headlines follow. But the real story — of alleged abuse, a years-long legal standoff, and a quest for accountability — unfolded over years, not days, and quietly concluded just before a civil trial was set to begin.
The Allegations and Fallout
In July 2020, Fox News fired anchor Ed Henry following an internal complaint and an outside investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.
The very same month, Jennifer Eckhart, a former producer and reporter at the network, filed a civil lawsuit against Henry and Fox News. In her complaint, she accused Henry of grooming her when she was 24, coercing her into a sexual relationship, and later violently raping her in a Manhattan hotel room in 2017.
Eckhart's lawsuit also named Fox News as a defendant, claiming the network ignored warning signs and failed to act despite prior allegations of misconduct by Henry.
Fox News has denied those claims and maintains it was unaware of any misconduct before 2020. Henry, who currently works for Newsmax, denied all allegations and stated that his interactions with Eckhart were consensual.
A Legal Journey Spanning 5 Years
Eckhart's legal battle stretched across five years, with the court dismissing Fox News from the case in March 2025. U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams ruled that there was no evidence Fox News knew about the alleged misconduct before it occurred and found the network acted promptly upon learning of the complaint.
Eckhart plans to appeal the dismissal, calling it a reflection of a broader corporate culture that protects those in power and silences survivors.
Meanwhile, the claims against Henry remained active. Court filings allege he raped Eckhart in a Manhattan hotel while she was handcuffed, and also forced her to perform sex acts at the Fox News headquarters in New York City.
A Restraining Order and FBI Attention
Shortly before the scheduled civil trial, Eckhart was granted a restraining order against Henry in a Florida court. The order was issued after she claimed Henry's legal team subpoenaed her elderly mother and others close to her, which she said was "a means of harassment and emotional manipulation," according to the Independent.
In her court filing, Eckhart alleged that Henry had launched "an ongoing campaign of retaliation" and argued she was living in a "constant state of anxiety and fear," according to the Independent.
In a petition for the order, Eckhart revealed that FBI agents had visited her in May 2024 to discuss possible sex trafficking allegations against Henry. Emails from Special Agent Marisa Morris confirm the bureau was in contact with Eckhart and would "review everything and follow up as appropriate," according to the Independent.
Eckhart's petition also included a reference to a media report of a separate harassment complaint filed against Henry at a different conservative media network, which she forwarded to the FBI.
Settlement Before Trial
On June 15, 2025, Eckhart and Henry settled the lawsuit privately. Court documents filed in the Southern District of New York confirm the agreement was reached just ahead of the anticipated civil trial.
According to PEOPLE, Henry's attorney said the matter was "resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties," while Eckhart expressed relief at closing the chapter on a painful legal ordeal.
Looking Ahead
Although the lawsuit has ended, Eckhart says her mission continues. She now leads The Reinvented Project, a nonprofit offering trauma recovery programs, and hosts a podcast where she interviews others about resilience and survival.
For her, the legal fight was never just personal. She believes it spotlights a deeper issue of institutional accountability and says her efforts now aim at broader cultural change — particularly in media workplaces.
References: Woman Who Accused Ed Henry of Rape Settles Lawsuit Against Former Fox News Reporter: 'I Turned Pain into Purpose' | Judge Dismisses Fox News from Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Former Star | Ex-Fox News Star Ed Henry Hit with Restraining Order by Jennifer Eckhart Ahead of High-Profile Sexual Assault Trial
