Chris Cuomo fired by CNN for helping brother
Andrew fight sexual misconduct charges
Primetime anchor was suspended on Tuesday
Network says ‘additional information’ has come to
light
Martin
Pengelly in New York
@MartinPengelly
Sat 4 Dec
2021 22.43 GMT
CNN has
fired the primetime anchor Chris Cuomo for trying to help his brother, the
former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, fight accusations of sexual misconduct
which resulted in his resignation.
“Chris
Cuomo was suspended earlier this week,” a statement said, “pending further
evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his
brother’s defense.
“We
retained a respected law firm to conduct the review and have terminated him
effective immediately. While in the process of that review additional
information has come to light. Despite the termination, we will investigate as
appropriate.”
In a
statement reported by the New York Times, Cuomo, 51, said: “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 … I owe them all and will miss that group
of special people who did really important work.”
The CNN
anchor tested a policy of not covering his brother in early 2020 when, during
the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic and with New York hard-hit, the
two regularly spoke and joked on air.
The scandal
which engulfed Andrew Cuomo spread to his younger brother, who acknowledged
offering advice when the governor faced the harassment charges that he denied
but that ultimately led to his resignation in August.
Chris Cuomo
was then suspended on Tuesday, after the release of documentation collected
during an investigation of Andrew Cuomo by the New York state attorney general,
Letitia James.
The
information released by James showed how Chris Cuomo pressed sources for
information on his brother’s accusers, reported to the governor’s staff and was
active in helping shape responses to the charges.
That
information prompted loud calls for CNN to fire Cuomo.
Marissa
Hoechstetter, a victims’ rights advocate, tweeted: “As a survivor who has
trusted CNN with my story, it is deeply disturbing that Chris Cuomo remains
employed.
“His
unethical behavior – plus that of anyone giving him any info in the first place
– should be disqualifying for a journalist. If they keep him on, they can’t be
trusted.”
Charlotte
Bennett, an alleged victim of sexual misconduct by Andrew Cuomo, said: “Just
like his older brother, Chris Cuomo used his time, network and resources to
help smear victims, dig up opposition research, and belittle our credible
allegations.
“Anything
short of firing Chris Cuomo reflects a network lacking both morals and
backbone. Does CNN stand by journalistic integrity, or will it simply excuse his
actions because Chris Cuomo drives ratings?”
On
Saturday, CNN took action.
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