NEW YORK (AP) — In the wake of his firing Wednesday, former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly maintained that sexual harassment claims against him were not true, calling his dismissal over the allegations “tremendously disheartening.”

The network’s most popular personality was fired after a New York Time report earlier this month that said five women had been paid $13 million in settlements after they alleged sexual harassment and mistreatment.

O’Reilly, who was with the network for 20 years, said he was proud of his time at Fox. He thanked his viewers and noted the success Fox had achieved.