Roger Ailes Fires Fox News Communications Executive

Brian Lewis had been with Ailes for 17 years

Fox News communications executive Brian Lewis served as Roger Ailes's guardian for 17 years, battling bad publicity with infamous zeal and unwavering loyalty.

Then, on July 25, he was fired and escorted out of the building.

Lewis's abrupt departure, which Fox's parent company attributed to "financial irregularities" and breaches of contract, sent shock waves throughout the television news industry Tuesday. Lewis had been one of Ailes's top advisers since the network's inception in 1996, was a member of his inner circle and had the respect and trust of the president.