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'That's an ugly lie': Suspended Fox Business host Charles Payne denies charges

A female political analyst alleges she was sexually harassed after ending an extramarital affair with him.

Charles Payne (right) on a Fox Business set alongside Peter Barnes (left) and Eric Bolling (center). Payne has been suspended by the network over allegations of sexual harassment.
Charles Payne (right) on a Fox Business set alongside Peter Barnes (left) and Eric Bolling (center). Payne has been suspended by the network over allegations of sexual harassment.Read moreAP File Photo

Fox Business host Charles Payne is denying allegations that he sexually harassed a female political analyst after ending an extramarital affair with her.

"That is an ugly lie I vehemently deny to my core. There is a mountain of proof that also proves its a lie," Payne said as part of a series of Tweets sent out on Friday morning.

Fox Business network confirmed Thursday night it suspended the Making Money host "pending further investigation" after the Los Angeles Times reported the female political analyst, who "who frequently appeared on Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel from 2013 to 2016," claimed she was coerced into a sexual relationship with the married Payne under the belief it would help her career.

The analyst, who reportedly worked as an analyst for CNN last year, also claimed she was banned from the network after ending the alleged affair with Payne in 2015.

"We take issues of this nature extremely seriously and have a zero tolerance policy for any professional misconduct. This matter is being thoroughly investigated and we are taking all of the appropriate steps to reach a resolution in a timely manner," Fox Business said in a statement.

Payne's lawyer, Neal Korval, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Payne has been with Fox Business since the network launched back in 2006, and just recently signed a new contract.

The move comes less than a week after Fox Sports fired Jamie Horowitz, the channel's president of national networks, after allegations of sexual harassment were reportedly made against him by a female employee who worked in production.

Howoritz's lawyer, Patty Glaser, denied the charges and called the network's treatment of Horowitz "appalling."