Since the departure of Tucker Carlson, the network's ratings king, and sole truth-teller, Fox News has had a rough year, to say the least. 

According to NBC News, in the wake of a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, the network's chief legal officer has announced his exit from the network's ranks and will instead become a special adviser.

Viet Dinh, Fox's chief legal and policy officer, said he'd step down from his executive roles at what used to be the consistently top-rated news network by the end of the year.

Don't feel sorry for the top legal officer just yet, as Fox News will reportedly pay him a handsome $23 million severance package. He'll also earn another $5 million total for his two-year contract as a special adviser to the network.

Statement released

Fox News CEO Lachlan Murdoch released a statement praising Dinh for his service to the network.

"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," Murdoch said in a statement.

He added: "We are grateful that he will continue to serve Fox as special adviser where we will benefit from his counsel."

#BREAKING: Viet Dinh, who has served as Fox Corp.'s lead legal counsel and reported directly to top executive Lachlan Murdoch, is stepping down at the end of the year. Here's what we know: https://t.co/UZwuT9nO7i

— The Hill (@thehill) August 11, 2023

While Dinh's service was praised, Fortune described the series of events that likely led to his departure, including essentially giving the network's brass false hopes that it would prevail in the massive lawsuit.

Fortune noted:

Citing court records and interviews with about a dozen people involved in the case, the Times reported that Dinh’s optimism led the company to prolong the litigation, leading to embarrassing disclosures of deposition testimony and communications by the Murdochs as well as top Fox executives and on-air personalities in which they cast doubt on the election claims they were broadcasting.

Dinh's statement

Dinh also released a statement in which he expressed gratitude for his time at the network.

"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," Dinh wrote.

He added: "I look forward to continuing with Fox as special adviser, and to returning to my roots of working on multiple ventures and with many clients across a variety of disciplines."

Only time will tell if Fox News is ever able to regain its core, loyal audience that kept the network in the black with high ratings.