CNN fires anchor Chris Cuomo over work defending his brother in sexual harassment scandal
By MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press
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Updated:
NEW YORK (AP) — CNN has fired anchor Chris Cuomo after details emerged about how he assisted his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as the politician faced sexual harassment allegations earlier this year.
The network suspended Chris Cuomo earlier in the week to investigate his involvement with his brother’s defense.
“We have retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately,” CNN said in a statement. “While in the process of that review, additional information has come to light. Despite the termination, we will investigate as appropriate.”
The network did not immediately release additional details.
Chris Cuomo said on twitter that he was proud of the work he did at the network.
“This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother. So let me now say as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN’s #1 show in the most competitive time slot,” he said.
As women came forward accusing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, his brother, despite being a CNN anchor, pressed sources for information on the accusers and reported back to the governor’s staff on what he was learning.
He was active in helping craft their response to the charges, according to emails and a transcript of his testimony to investigators working for state Attorney General Letitia James. Her office found Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women.
Chris Cuomo previously acknowledged talking to his brother and offering advice when the governor faced harassment charges. But more detail has emerged about the help he gave. Andrew Cuomo resigned in August to avoid a likely impeachment trial.
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State Secretary of New York Mario Cuomo is shown during a press conference with his family, 1977. He holds up his son Christopher, 6. From left: Christopher Cuomo, Mario Cuomo, his wife Matilda, and their son Andrew, 19. Cuomo is running for mayor of New York City. (AP Photo)
Don Ryan
Chris Cuomo, right, and cameraman Jim Bolzer from Good Morning America do a live shot from the 6,000-foot level as the early morning sun shines on the south side of Mount Hood, Ore., Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. The body of climber Kelly James was found in a snow cave yesterday and rescue crews will remove him from the mountain today as the search continues for his two fellow climbers. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
ANDY KROPA
News anchor Chris Cuomo, left, and his wife Christina Greeven-Cuomo pose as they arrive at the Candie's Foundation Annual Event to Prevent Benefit, an organization that educates teens about the consequences of teen pregnancy, in New York City, Thursday, May 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Andy Kropa)
Peter Kramer
Singer's Donny and Marie Osmond make an appearance with hosts Chris Cuomo, second left, and Diane Sawyer, right, in Bryant Park on ABC's "Good Morning America" show on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Jason DeCrow
ABC News President David Westin, left, announces the network's "50 States In 50 Days" election coverage, in partnership with USA Today, as "Good Morning America" hosts, from second left, Sam Champion, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo and Diane Sawyer look on during a news conference aboard an antique train car at Grand Central Station Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 in New York. Starting Sept. 15, ABC News and USA Today are partnering to report on one state each day in the run-up to the presidential election. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Richard Drew
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, right, is interviewed by ABC News' Chris Cuomo during the Advertising Week Trust Forum II, in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Evan Agostini
FILE - This April 16, 2012 file photo shows Chris Cuomo at the premiere of the film "Safe" in New York. Cuomo and Kate Bolduan (BALD'-win) will be CNN's anchor team for a new morning show that will begin later this spring. Cuomo joined CNN from ABC earlier this year specifically to do the morning show. Bolduan has covered Congress for CNN and been co-host with Wolf Blitzer of "The Situation Room" in the late afternoon. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)
Chris Pizzello
Chris Cuomo of the CNN morning show "New Day" poses at the CNN Worldwide All-Star Party, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Michael Zorn
Bob Woodruff, left, is kissed by Chris Cuomo at the 9th Annual Stand Up For Heroes, presented by the New York Comedy Festival and The Bob Woodruff Foundation, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP)
Patrick Semansky
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,, left, speaks with host Chris Cuomo during a commercial break during a CNN town hall at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Gerald Herbert
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks with host Chris Cuomo during a commercial break at a CNN town hall style televised event at the University of South Carolina School of Law, in Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Kevin Hagen
CNN correspondents Jeff Gagliano and Chris Cuomo speak on air in front of the Time Warner Building, where NYPD personnel removed an explosive device Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)
Evan Agostini
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo attends the 12th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan Agostini
CNN news anchor Chris Cuomo attends The Hollywood Reporter's annual Most Powerful People in Media cocktail reception at The Pool on Thursday, April 11, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan Agostini
CNN news anchors Anderson Cooper, left, and Chris Cuomo attend the WarnerMedia Upfront at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Marcio Jose Sanchez
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., laughs as CNN moderator Chris Cuomo speaks during the Power of our Pride Town Hall Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. The LGBTQ-focused town hall featured nine 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
