CNN suspended anchor Chris Cuomo indefinitely after it was revealed that he utilized media contacts to assist his brother, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, in dealing with sexual harassment charges.
These disclosures emerged from records released on Monday by the New York Attorney General’s Office as part of Attorney General Letitia James’ inquiry into the allegations against the former governor.
CNN said that James’ office “issued transcripts and documents Monday that shed fresh light on Chris Cuomo’s participation in his brother’s defense.”
“These records indicate that he was more involved in his brother’s activities than we previously thought.
As a result, Chris Cuomo has been suspended indefinitely pending further investigation.”
Anderson Cooper will take over CNN’s 9 p.m. time slot, which was formerly filled by Cuomo Prime Time.
Chris Cuomo apologized on-air in May after the Washington Post reported he had engaged in strategy sessions with Andrew on how to handle the harassment charges.
Chris addressed the issue again after Andrew resigned as governor, following the publishing of James’ investigation on eleven women’s complaints of sexual harassment against the former governor.
“I never attacked, nor did I urge anybody to attack, any lady who came forward,” Chris stated on August 17.
“I never contacted the media about my brother’s plight.”
Documents from James’ investigation, however, published on Monday, indicated that Chris told investigators he called writer Ronan Farrow to discuss an article on Andrew’s claims.
Chris allegedly texted former governor’s staffer Melissa DeRosa, “I got a lead on the wedding girl,” after a lady accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her.
