‘Liberal Sherpa,’ Who Lost Suit Against Fox News Hosts, Arrested For Allegedly Kidnapping 88-Year-Old Mom

Cathy Areu, a former Fox News guest dubbed the “liberal sherpa,” has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping her mother and stealing at least $224,000 from the 88-year-old.

Areu put her mother in a nursing home against her will on two occasions, allegedly dragging the elderly woman from her home on one occasion, authorities in Florida said.

“Every incident of alleged elder exploitation or abuse touches our heart and never fails to shock us,” said a statement from Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “It seems particularly harder to understand when the alleged perpetrator of the exploitation is a daughter, or a son or another blood relative.”

In one instance, Areu’s mother allegedly denied signing paperwork that turned over her home to her daughter. Areu also allegedly used a revoked power of attorney to place her elderly mother in a nursing home without her consent on two separate occasions, the Daily Mail noted.

The former commentator is facing a number of felony charges including kidnapping, exploitation of the elderly, and organized scheme to defraud, according to 7 News Miami. Areu has been denied bond and is currently being held at Miami-Dade county jail.

Areu has been under investigation since 2019, according to prosecutors. The podcast host was reportedly evading authorities this summer, which included Areu spending time in Mexico.

Areu’s lawsuit against Fox News and some of the network’s personalities was dismissed last year.

Areu claimed in the now-dismissed suit that Tucker Carlson propositioned her and then declined to have her on his show after she rebuffed him. However, she was invited on as a guest on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” four times in four months after the alleged incident.

Taking aim at Sean Hannity, Areu said the host “threw $100 on the set desk” “completely unsolicited” and then “began calling out to the men in the room and demanding that someone take Ms. Areu out on a date for drinks at Del Friscos. He repeatedly yelled, ‘who wants to take her on a date?’ ‘Take her on a date to Del Friscos.’” The 51-year-old was “completely mortified,” she claimed.

Emails reveal that Areu actually asked a Fox News staffer via email if she could bring a male friend to the show. According to the network, Hannity offered Areu and her friend, “Alex,” $100 to get drinks at Del Frisco’s steakhouse nearby following her appearance.

Areu then sent an email thanking Hannity and his staff for including her on the show. In an email sent hours after that, she included a photo of a martini she apparently bought at the steakhouse.

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