New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he often receives advice from journalists other than his brother, CNN’s Chris Cuomo, who advised the governor on how to fend off claims of sexual harassment.
The Democratic governor defended the conversations about the mounting scandals with his younger brother, whom he called his “best friend,” while adding that he often receives advice from members of the press.
“I had conversations with my brother. I always have conversations with my brother because he’s my brother and he’s my best friend. Obviously, he was aware of what was going on, and I talked to him about it, and he told me his thoughts,” the governor said Monday afternoon on Long Island. “He always tells me his thoughts … but I talk to journalists about situations all the time, and they tell me their thoughts and their advice.”
The governor didn’t identify any of the other journalists who offer him advice.
Representatives for Cuomo did not immediately reply to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Chris Cuomo took part in a series of conference calls with the governor and several of his top aides and lawyers aimed at crafting a public relations strategy regarding the growing list of women accusing him of sexual harassment earlier this year. The CNN anchor reportedly dissuaded his brother from resigning and invoked the phrase “cancel culture” in his argument.
CNN told the Washington Examiner in a statement that it was “inappropriate” for the anchor to participate in such meetings but said 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 acknowledged the conversations, with Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for the governor, telling the Washington Examiner, “There were a few phone conversations, with friends and advisers giving the governor advice.”
Chris Cuomo apologized for advising his brother.
“I understand why that was a problem for CNN,” he said Thursday on his show, Cuomo Prime Time. “It will not happen again. It was a mistake because I put my colleagues here, who I believe are the best in the business, in a bad spot. I never intended for that. I would never intend for that, and I am sorry for that.”
Andrew Cuomo faces sexual harassment accusations from more than 10 women, most of whom were former aides, staffers, or those close to the governor’s political circle. The allegations have resulted in two investigations: New York Attorney General Letitia James is investigating the claims at the state level, and New York state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is directing an “impeachment investigation” to look into the matter in the Legislature. The governor apologized for making anyone feel uncomfortable but has denied there being any inappropriate touching.
James’s investigation into claims of sexual harassment was expanded earlier this month to look into claims that a top adviser tied counties’ COVID-19 vaccine access to support for the governor, which Beth Garvey, Cuomo’s counsel, said “malign[ed] a decadeslong public servant.”
In a separate matter, James recently received a referral to conduct a criminal investigation into Cuomo’s use of state resources to promote his book about leadership during the pandemic, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from COVID-19 Pandemic, after a March 31 ethics complaint from a liberal watchdog group sought an inquiry into whether he violated a law prohibiting “the use of campaign funds for personal use.” The New York governor insisted members of his staff volunteered to help with the book, which is expected to earn more than $5 million, but his office acknowledged that there might be some “incidental” use of state resources, according to the New York Times.
The governor has also been accused of directing state health officials to give special COVID-19 testing access to members of his inner circle, including Chris Cuomo, claims denied by Azzopardi as “insincere efforts to rewrite the past” in an email to the Washington Examiner.
In addition, the Democratic 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.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Despite pressure from within his own party, Cuomo has heeded his brother’s advice and resisted calls to resign, saying he never engaged in impropriety.
He is eligible for reelection in 2022.
