CNN criticized its anchor Chris Cuomo as “inappropriate” for taking part in calls with his brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo to strategize about the New York Democrat’s growing list of sexual harassment claims.
Chris Cuomo took part in a series of conference calls earlier in 2021 that included his brother’s top aide, communications team, lawyers, and outside advisers, the Washington Post reported Thursday, citing four anonymous sources.
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The CNN anchor apparently discouraged his brother from resigning and invoked the phrase “cancel culture” as a reason to hold firm and resist calls for him to step down, which is what he did.
CNN told the Washington Examiner in a statement that it was “inappropriate” for the anchor to participate in such meetings, though he won’t be disciplined for it.
“Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes,” the network stated. “In part because, as he has said on his show, he could never be objective. But also because he often serves as a sounding board for his brother.”
“However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor’s staff, which Chris acknowledges,” it added. “He will not participate in such conversations going forward.”
The governor’s office also acknowledged the conversations.
“There were a few phone conversations, with friends and advisers giving the governor advice,” Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for the governor, told the Washington Examiner.
Andrew Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment from a number of former aides and staffers.
At least 10 women, many of whom were former aides or staffers, have come forward to allege that Cuomo touched them inappropriately or made crude comments during his long political career, though he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Cuomo previously acknowledged that he “acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,” but he denied any inappropriate contact.
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In addition to the sexual harassment allegations, the Empire State’s governor is under federal investigation for his handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic after Melissa DeRosa, a top Cuomo aide, acknowledged that the governor’s office hid the state’s nursing home coronavirus death toll out of fear of political retribution from then-President Donald Trump.
While the alleged cover-up was going on, CNN had Chris Cuomo interview his brother on-air, often in a lighthearted segment, which resulted in some blowback for the network.
