Roger Ailes revealed as buyer of $36M Palm Beach mansion

Embattled Fox News founder and former chairman Roger Ailes may have used his settlement money to buy a new Palm Beach mansion for $36 million. 

Ailes, who resigned from Fox in July over multiple sexual harassment allegations, is the true buyer behind the pricey home sale last week, the Daily Mail is reporting. He walked away from the network with a $40 million settlement, according to a leaked copy of the agreement.

“The purchase has been very hush-hush on the island,” a Miami law source told the Daily Mail. “He’s been looking for real estate in South Florida very aggressively because he is worried about getting hit with a huge judgment.”

Ailes was forced to resign this summer after former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson accused him of refusing to renew her contract when she would not have sex with him, among other allegations. Carlson received a $20 million payoff, none of which came from Ailes, the New York Times reported. Fox has also settled with other women with similar complaints.

Luxury homebuilder Mark Timothy Inc. sold the newly built, beachfront home for $36 million to a trust held at City National Bank. The developer was listing the spec mansion for $42 million.

Ailes’ six-bedroom, 12,747-square-foot, two-story house was completed last year and includes interiors by Marc-Michaels Interior Design, marble and wood floors, an oceanfront pool and Jacuzzi and a guest home. It has 94 feet of oceanfront and spans 0.85 acres, according to property records.

The LLC, controlled by Mark Timothy Pulte, paid more than $12 million to buy the lots at 6 Ocean Lane and 5 Ocean Lane in 2013. Pulte is president and CEO of the luxury homebuilder firm, and his father founded Pulte Homes, now the Atlanta-based PulteGroup.

Palm Beach broker Lawrence A. Moens was the listing agent. Susan Turner of Waterfront Properties and Club Communities represented the buyer, according to the Palm Beach Daily News. [Daily Mail] – Katherine Kallergis