CNN’s Chris Cuomo ‘advised governor brother Andrew on sex harassment claims and told him not to bow to cancel culture’
CNN’s Chris Cuomo “advised his governor brother Andrew on the sex harassment claims he’s facing, telling him not to bow to cancel culture," a report has claimed.
The CNN anchor is said to have given the advice in a series of strategy calls telling the New York governor how to respond to the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.
Top aides, lawyers, and outside advisers for Cuomo are also said to have taken part in the calls, which took place earlier this year, according to .
Several women have come forward to accuse the Democrat of sexually harassing them or otherwise making them feel uncomfortable with his words or behavior.
CNN confirmed in a statement to the Post that Chris Cuomo had taken part in the calls but added his involvement was a mistake.
“Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes,” the network said in a statement. “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,” the statement added. “He will not participate in such conversations going forward.”
Chris Cuomo, who hosts Cuomo Prime Time, is said to have told the governor during the calls not to resign and encouraged him to take a defiant stance against the allegations, the Post reported, citing four people familiar with the discussions.
According to two sources who spoke to the Post, Chris Cuomo used the phrase “cancel culture” during one call.
Chris Cuomo has often interviewed his brother on his show usually about the coronavirus pandemic, which had seen the governor praised for showing decisiveness and transparency as the virus swept across the country.
But as the allegations grew against Andrew Cuomo, the CNN host said in March he would not be reporting on the harassment claims “because he is my brother."
Currently, multiple investigations surrounding the allegations are underway.
In March this year, reports surfaced Chris Cuomo had received preferential Covid-19 testing from his brother.
Andrew Cuomo is alleged to have ordered state officials to give to his brother and other family members last year.
reported that Gov Cuomo and state Health Commissioner Dr Howard Zucker directed health officials to prioritize Cuomo family members as well as other influential people with ties to the governor's administration.
Three people with direct knowledge of the matter reportedly told the outlet that the testing was often done at private residences, including Chris Cuomo's home on Long Island.
Cuomo's CNN show has since his brother became embroiled in scandals over sexual harassment and nursing home Covid deaths.
The show has refused to cover the claims of eight women who have come forward , or the inquiries over the handling of Covid patients in nursing homes.
Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing after seven current or former . An eighth accuser is a journalist.
One woman, who has not been identified, claimed that once when she entered his office he slammed the door, slipped his hand under her shirt, and touched her breast over her bra.
The governor said he has “never done anything like this” after the her accusations.
Charlotte Bennett had previously worked for Cuomo as an executive assistant and health policy adviser.
She has claimed that while working with Cuomo he asked her about her sex life and made it apparent that he was interested in having a sexual relationship with her.
“I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” Bennett said. “And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.”
Cuomo responded to Bennett’s allegations saying: “The last thing I would ever have wanted was to make her feel any of the things that are being reported.”
to come forward alleging sexual harassment by the governor.
She claimed Cuomo ogled her body and made suggestive remarks about her appearance.
She detailed a number of unsettling interactions to , saying Cuomo would often to her and another aide she worked with.
Cuomo insisted he was trying to foster a healthy work relationship with people he viewed as friends that may have been misinterpreted.
Rita Glavin, a lawyer for Cuomo, said, "The governor has greeted men and women with hugs and a kiss on the cheek, forehead, or hand," in response to McGrath's claims.
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"Yes, he has posed for photographs with his arm around them. Yes, he uses Italian phrases like, 'Ciao bella.'"
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"None of this is remarkable, although it may be old-fashioned," Glavin ended.
"He has made clear that he has never made inappropriate advances or inappropriately touched anyone."