CNN Fires Chris Cuomo Over Role In Brother’s Harassment Scandal
CNN has sacked news anchor and correspondent, Chris Cuomo over an investigation into his efforts to help his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, deal with allegations of sexual misconduct.
Cuomo, 51, who hosted CNN’s most-watched prime-time news show, was suspended on Tuesday.
He had admitted in May that he had broken some of the cable news network’s rules in advising his brother how to handle the allegations from a public relations perspective.
Andrew Cuomo, 63-year-old was forced to step down as governor in August after several allegations of sexual misconduct. He has denied any wrongdoing.
CNN said, “Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week 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”.
The network did not provide details on the new information.
In a statement on Twitter, Cuomo said he was disappointed.
“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,” he said.
Note that in journalism, it is considered a breach of ethics to use one’s position to advocate for a personal cause or to conduct investigations for personal reasons.
Chris Cuomo was earlier suspended after New York Attorney General Letitia James showed text and other messages in which he sought to use his own sources in news media outlets to find out information on the case and the women involved in it.
A criminal complaint charging Andrew Cuomo with a misdemeanour sex offence was filed on October 29 in a New York court.
