Viet Dinh, Fox’s Top Lawyer Who Oversaw its $787 Million Dominion Settlement, is Stepping Down
Fox Corporation, a prominent media conglomerate, has announced a significant shift in its corporate leadership as its chief legal officer, Viet Dinh, is set to exit the company. This move follows the aftermath of Fox’s historic $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, an election technology company embroiled in a high-profile legal battle.
In a statement, Lachlan Murdoch, Chief Executive of Fox Corporation, expressed gratitude for Dinh’s contributions and service to the company. Murdoch highlighted Dinh’s role as a board member of 21st Century Fox and his five-year tenure as a valuable member of Fox’s leadership team. Despite his departure from the executive role, Dinh will continue to contribute to Fox as a Special Advisor, providing his counsel.
According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing on Friday, Dinh’s exit will come with a $23 million cash settlement. Additionally, he will receive $5 million for serving as a special advisor for a two-year term.
Dinh’s departure is notable due to his close relationship with Lachlan Murdoch and his key role as Chief Legal and Policy Officer since 2018. His handling of Dominion’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News, which revolved around the airing of misleading information about the 2020 election, led to criticism and legal challenges for the company.
Reflecting on his time at Fox, Dinh expressed his appreciation and affection for the company, Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and colleagues who have been part of his journey.
The departure of Dinh is the latest in a series of executive changes following the Dominion settlement. Raj Shah, a senior communications executive, exited the company earlier in the year. The settlement itself marked a culmination of legal proceedings that revealed internal communications and produced embarrassing messages from senior executives and hosts.
Fox Corporation’s response to the Dominion lawsuit, which escalated to the brink of a trial before settling, attracted attention from legal scholars due to the company’s engagement in the discovery process, revealing internal dynamics and decisions.
Fox’s settlement with Dominion was not an isolated incident. The network has faced other high-profile lawsuits related to false election conspiracy theories aired in 2020. The settlement costs for these cases amounted to $894 million in 2023, according to the SEC filing. Despite resolving multiple cases, Fox still faces ongoing legal challenges, such as the pending Smartmatic lawsuit set to go to trial in 2025.
As Fox navigates these legal waters and undergoes changes within its leadership, the repercussions of its past actions continue to shape its trajectory.
