Bill O'Reilly Booted From Fox News in Wake of Sexual Harassment Allegations

In a letter sent to employees, Fox News brass said "after a thorough and careful review of allegations against him, the company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Mr. O'Reilly will not return to the Fox News Channel.

The New York Times published an extensive report April 1 that exposed multiple sexual harassment cases against O'Reilly that resulted in him and Fox News paying out upwards of $13 million in settlements to women who were not permitted to speak about the cases. Since then, advertisers were jumping ship in droves from O'Reilly's highest-rated cable news program. An internal investigation was also launched to look into the claims.

The host was set to return to his show, "The O'Reilly Factor" on April 24, but as protests and calls for O'Reilly's firing mounted the Murdochs ultimately decided O'Reilly couldn't return to his show.

The newest allegation came from an African American woman who said O'Reilly called her "hot chocolate" and made inappropriate gestures. O'Reilly's lawyer Marc Kasowitz disputed the claims, saying: "It is outrageous that an allegation from an anonymous person about something that purportedly happened almost a decade ago is being treated as fact, especially where there is obviously an orchestrated campaign by activists and lawyers to destroy Mr. O'Reilly and enrich themselves through publicity-driven donations."

In wake of O'Reilly's removal, Fox has confirmed that Tucker Carlson will move from his 9 p.m. slot to O'Reilly's previously held 8 p.m. time starting April 24th. Fox News' panel show "The Five" will move to primetime in the 9 p.m. hour.

UPDATE (April 19 3:28 p.m. PT): Bill O'Reilly released official statement being axed from Fox News. "It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims."