• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics

1

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
MPWGretchen Carlson

Where Gretchen Carlson’s $20 Million Settlement Ranks Among the Biggest Sexual Harassment Cases

By
Madeline Farber
Madeline Farber
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Madeline Farber
Madeline Farber
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 6, 2016, 4:02 PM ET

When sexual harassment lawsuits come to light, many companies and individuals seek to settle the cases as quickly as possible to avoid extended bad publicity.

Take former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit against her former boss Roger Ailes, for example. Just two months after she initially filed her sexual harassment lawsuit, 21st Century Fox announced on Tuesday that it had settled her claims for a whopping $20 million, and even offered her a public apology.

But for as much media coverage Carlson’s lawsuit received, that $20 million settlement is a drop in the bucket for some cases where plaintiffs have been awarded over $160 million by the courts.

Here’s a list of a few of some of the most famous sexual harassment settlements and awards in history, in order from least to greatest in awarded sums:

Paula Jones and President Bill Clinton, 1991

When former President Bill Clinton was the governor of Arkansas, a state employee by the name of Paula Jones accused Clinton of exposing himself to her and asking her for oral sex. Clinton denied all claims, and Jones dropped her case against Clinton in exchange for $850,000.

The Tailhook Convention, 1991

This case involved allegations against the United States armed forces. Among six other women, Former Navy lieutenant Paula Coughlin alleged that they she was sexually assaulted by drunken Naval and Marine officers who were attending a conference at Vegas’ Hilton Hotel. She ended up suing the hotel for a lack of adequate security, and won a $5.2 million judgment against the hotel.

Baker & McKenzie law firm and Rena Weeks, 1994

Former legal secretary Rena Weeks at Baker & McKenzie accused attorney Martin Greenstein of lunging at her chest, pouring M&Ms down her breast pocket, and grabbing at her hips. She was awarded $7.1 million in punitive damages by a San Francisco judge, although that amount was eventually dropped to $3.5 million.

A former UBS sales assistant and her supervisor, 2011

Carla C. Ingraham, a former employee at UBS, said her supervisor made repeated comments about her breast size, and asked her about sexual fantasies, among other things. She claimed UBS fired her after she complained, even though UBS said it prohibits retaliation against employees who complain of harassment. She was awarded $10.6 million.

Anucha Browne Sanders and New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, 2007

Anucha Browne Sanders, a former team executive for the Knicks, said she was fired after coach Isiah Thomas reportedly sexually harassed her for two years. A judge awarded her $11.6 million in punitive damages.

Gretchen Carlson and Fox News, 2016

Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her boss and former Fox CEO and chairman, Roger Ailes. Carlson didn’t sue Fox, but instead sued Ailes personally. She was awarded $20 million and was also issued an apology from Fox. After Carlson went public with her claims against Ailes, many other women followed suit.

Linda Gilbert and Chrysler, 1999

Linda Gilbert was the first woman millwright at Chrysler’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. She claimed that she was harassed by co-workers with sexually explicit photos and cruel names, and was awarded $21 million, which is supposedly the largest sum ever given to an individual sexual harassment plaintiff. But the Michigan Supreme court threw out her case in 2004 after deciding it was “clearly the product of passion and prejudice.”

Ralph’s Grocery Store and six female workers, 2002

Six female workers at Ralph’s grocery store in Escondido, Calif. were awarded $30 million after they claimed a store manager harassed them for an entire year. The claimed the manager fondled them, among other things. But after a state appeals court found the case was “constitutionally excessive,” the reward was reduced.

Ashley Alford and Aaron’s rent-to-own, 2011

Ashley Alford, an employee of Aaron’s was awarded $95 million after claiming the store’s manager not only sexually harassed her for a year, but assaulted her in 2006. The manager reportedly snuck up behind her while she was sitting in a stock room and hit her in the head with his penis. Her award was later reduced to $40 million because of a cap on federal damages.

Ani Chopourian and Mercy General Hospital, 2012

Ani Chopourian, who was a physician’s assistant at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., said doctors there constantly asked her for sex. A judge awarded her with $168 million.

About the Author
By Madeline Farber
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in MPW

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in MPW

lucas
ConferencesWorkplace Innovation Summit
Trump’s EEOC chair is suing The New York Times because ‘we should bring it on behalf of white workers too’
By Nick LichtenbergMay 20, 2026
18 hours ago
How a book convinced Arundhati Bhattacharya, one of India’s most powerful bankers, to try working for a U.S. tech company
AsiaMost Powerful Women
How a book convinced Arundhati Bhattacharya, one of India’s most powerful bankers, to try working for a U.S. tech company
By Angelica AngMay 19, 2026
2 days ago
shyam
CommentaryHealth
World Economic Forum: women’s health gets only 20% of R&D funding. We must seize this $1 trillion opportunity
By Shyam BishenMay 18, 2026
3 days ago
weld
Future of Workthe future of work
Meet a 21-year-old community college student who’s going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
By Mike Householder and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
4 days ago
‘No one was coming to save me’: How Reese Witherspoon built a $900 million company from a problem Hollywood wouldn’t fix
Successreese witherspoon
‘No one was coming to save me’: How Reese Witherspoon built a $900 million company from a problem Hollywood wouldn’t fix
By Sydney LakeMay 17, 2026
4 days ago
‘Be delusional enough to call yourself something the world hasn’t called you yet’: What powerful women told the class of 2026
NewslettersMPW Daily
‘Be delusional enough to call yourself something the world hasn’t called you yet’: What powerful women told the class of 2026
By Sydney LakeMay 14, 2026
7 days ago

Most Popular

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
2 days ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
21 hours ago
Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
Future of Work
Meet a 21-year-old community college student who's going to China as the first American woman welder in the trades Olympics
By Mike Householder and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
4 days ago
Dr. Bernice King on why companies that walked back DEI were never truly committed: 'If you retreat that quick…that reveals who you really are'
Workplace Culture
Dr. Bernice King on why companies that walked back DEI were never truly committed: 'If you retreat that quick…that reveals who you really are'
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
2 days ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
9 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 20, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 20, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 20, 2026
23 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.