Fox producer sues network, alleges she was set up in Dominion defamation suit

A Fox News producer is suing the network, alleging that its lawyers coerced her into giving damaging testimony and were setting her up to take the fall amid an ongoing legal battle with Dominion Voting Systems over the network's coverage of the firm.

Dominion has filed a defamation suit against the network, which repeatedly aired claims about election fraud and the election machine company's alleged role in enabling it. The company is seeking $1.6 billion.

Abby Grossberg, who has worked with Fox hosts Tucker Carlson and Maria Bartiromo, told the New York Times that the network lawyers coached her prior to a September deposition in "a coercive and intimidating manner."

At that deposition, Grossberg was asked if she cared whether claims Bartiromo made on air were accurate or not. She responded, per a transcript the Times obtained, "No. Because we didn’t know if they were true or false at that time." She further indicated she did not feel the need to correct false claims made on-air.

She alleges that, had it not been for the lawyers' coaching, she would have answered the questions differently. Grossberg further contended she was under the impression she was supposed to avoid mentioning any of the network's high-profile talent or male executives.

Her interview with the Times detailed a litany of alleged conduct at Fox by male staff that the paper described as "rampant misogyny." Her complaint alleges that she received a poor performance review after complaining about harassment from male producers.

Fox has filed suit against Grossberg, seeking to bar her from filing claims related to her discussions with company lawyers. The network has contended that Grossberg's claims follow a poor performance review and vowed to contest her claims.

"FOX News Media engaged an independent outside counsel to immediately investigate the concerns raised by Ms. Grossberg, which were made following a critical performance review. Her allegations in connection with the Dominion case are baseless and we will vigorously defend Fox against all of her claims," the network told Just the News.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.