**Fox Corp.’s Top Lawyer Steps Down After Defamation Settlement**
In a significant management shakeup, Fox Corp.’s top lawyer and close aide to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, Viet Dinh, will be stepping down from his role as chief legal and policy officer. This move comes after the company’s $787.5 million settlement of defamation claims by Dominion Voting Systems, marking the biggest management shift since the settlement.
Dinh will officially depart from his role on December 31 and transition to a special adviser position within the company, as announced by Fox on Friday. As part of his separation agreement, Dinh will receive a $23 million lump-sum payment and an annual payment of $2.5 million for the next two years as an adviser.
The reason for Dinh’s departure was not explicitly stated by Fox, but sources familiar with the matter revealed that it was largely due to dissatisfaction over his handling of the Dominion case and its outcome, which resulted in the largest payout ever in a media defamation case.
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch expressed gratitude for Dinh’s contributions to the company over the years and stated that Dinh will continue to serve as a special adviser, providing valuable counsel to the organization.
Dinh’s departure follows the firing of Tucker Carlson, Fox News’s popular host, in the aftermath of the settlement with Dominion. Fox News still faces another defamation suit from Smartmatic Corp. seeking $2.7 billion in damages over claims of rigged voting.
As a former Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, Dinh had become a trusted adviser to the Murdochs at Fox. However, his assurances regarding the outcome of the Dominion case came under scrutiny, leading to prolonged litigation and damaging disclosures.
Dinh’s departure was announced by Fox after the financial markets closed on Friday, with the company’s shares finishing the day up 0.3% at $34.60. The move marks a significant change in the leadership of Fox Corp. amidst ongoing legal challenges and settlements.
Original Story at news.bloomberglaw.com – 2023-08-12 07:00:00
