By Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino | CNN
Fox Corporation announced on Friday that Viet Dinh, its top lawyer, will be leaving the company following the company’s historic $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. This move represents a significant shakeup in the company’s corporate ranks.
Lachlan Murdoch, chief executive of Fox Corporation, expressed gratitude for Dinh’s contributions and service to the company. In a statement, Murdoch stated, “We appreciate Viet’s many contributions and service to FOX as both a board member of 21st Century Fox and in his role over the last five years as a valued member of FOX’s leadership team. We are grateful that he will continue to serve FOX as Special Advisor where we will benefit from his counsel.”
According to an SEC filing released on Friday, Dinh will receive a $23 million cash settlement and will be paid $5 million for a two-year term as special adviser.
Dinh’s departure comes after facing criticism for his handling of Dominion’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News regarding false information aired about the 2020 election. Dinh had a close relationship with Lachlan Murdoch and joined the company in 2018 as chief legal and policy officer.
In a statement, Dinh said, “I have been privileged to be part of the Fox family for over two decades as a director and officer, and I have especially treasured my relationships with Rupert, Lachlan, and our talented colleagues over the years.”
Legal scholars were surprised that Fox Corporation allowed the lawsuit to progress so far, settling only when it reached the trial stage. The company’s participation in the discovery process during this period resulted in the exposure of embarrassing messages from the Murdoch family and other senior executives and hosts who are associated with Fox.
Dinh is the latest senior executive to depart following the historic Dominion settlement. Earlier this year, Raj Shah, a senior communications executive, left the company.
In 2021, Fox also terminated host Lou Dobbs’ contract after being sued for $2.7 billion by Smartmatic, another voting technology company, due to conspiracy theories espoused by Dobbs on the air.
Shortly after settling the lawsuit with Dominion early this year, Fox fired its prime time host Tucker Carlson, known for his right-wing extremist views. It has been reported by several news outlets that some of Carlson’s communications, which were redacted in court filings, played a significant role in Fox’s decision to sever ties with him. However, both Fox and Dominion deny that this action was related to the massive settlement.