An inquiry by a law firm found new information on CNN broadcaster Chris Cuomo.
CNN suspended Cuomo on Tuesday, one day after records published by New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed he was more active in defending his brother from sexual harassment claims.
CNN Fires #ChrisCuomo Over Role in Andrew Cuomo's Scandal@nytimes @EveningEdit https://t.co/8ZmNbTlhPw
— Elizabeth MacDonald (@LizMacDonaldFOX) December 4, 2021
The network claimed Chris Cuomo was suspended early last week, awaiting an additional investigation into his role in his brother’s defense. They hired a reputable law firm to assess him and fired him immediately.
After Cuomo’s suspension on Tuesday, Anderson Cooper anchored the 9 p.m. hour on CNN, extending his regular 8 p.m. broadcast. Cuomo’s time slot will be taken over by CNN Saturday morning broadcaster
Michael Smerconish in the coming weeks. The company has not yet disclosed other hosting plans.
Previous Speculations
A source close to the case told reporters on Wednesday Cuomo’s future had not been determined; the source also said the network would be driven by the findings of the further assessment it promised to do on Tuesday.
The network did not specify how long the investigation would take. Brian Stelter, CNN’s lead media reporter, suggested Cuomo may return to his program in January.
On his SiriusXM radio program on Wednesday afternoon, Cuomo expressed his disappointment at the network’s decision to ban him. In the meantime, he said he would accept the network’s review process.
The 348-page interrogation transcript and correspondence data revealed Monday by the New York Attorney General indicates Cuomo drafted remarks for his brother to read and weighed in on strategic discussions.
According to the records, Cuomo relied on his media contacts to learn about upcoming events that could jeopardize his brother’s failed political bid.
Chris Cuomo fired by CNN for helping brother Andrew fight sexual misconduct charges https://t.co/e62OexUJUY
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 4, 2021
The Degree of His Actions
Cuomo told investigators if other women came forward accusing his brother of misbehavior, he would contact sources (other reporters) to see if they heard of anyone else coming forward.
Cuomo inquired about the date of a story by New Yorker writer Ronan Farrow, but did not personally contact Farrow. “No, not particularly,” he said when asked by investigators if he told CNN management about his outreach for the Farrow piece.
In one communication, Cuomo informed his brother’s aide, Melissa DeRosa, he had a “lead” concerning a lady who charged his brother with inappropriate conduct at a wedding.
The network claimed on Tuesday the papers raised major problems. It was stated publicly that when Chris disclosed to them he advised his brother’s workers, he broke their regulations. CNN recognized his unique circumstances.
These records show he was more involved in his brother’s activities than previously thought. Chris Cuomo joined ABC News in 2008 and co-anchored the morning show “New Day” with Alisyn Camerota.
Cuomo’s CNN show averaged over 960,000 viewers each night in the third quarter of 2021.
