Andrew (L) and Chris Cuomo.Photo: David Dee Delgado/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty
Chris Cuomois speaking out for the first time about why he hasn’t been covering the recentsexual harassment allegationsagainst his brother, New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo.
At the start of his broadcast Monday on CNN’sCuomo Prime Time, Chris, 50, told viewers, “Before we start tonight, let me say something that I am sure very obvious to you who watch my show, and thank you for that. You’re straight with me — I’ll be straight with you.”
“Obviously, I’m aware of what is going on with my brother, and obviously, I cannot cover it because he is my brother. Now of course CNN has to cover it. Theyhave covered it extensively, and they will continueto do so,” the television journalist continued.
“There’s a lot of news going on that matters also, so let’s get after that,” he concluded.
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Andrew and Chris Cuomo.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Three women have accused Andrew, 63, of harassment,including a woman named Anna Ruchwho spoke withThe New York Timesfor a piece published Monday.
In the interview, Ruch claims she met the politician at a wedding reception in September 2019, where he made multiple unwanted physical advances on her. He also allegedly asked at one point if he could kiss her.
Ruch joins two former aides who haveaccused Andrew of harassment, both sexual and otherwise: Charlotte Bennett andLindsey Boylan.
Lindsey Boylan (left); New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right).Rob Latour/Shutterstock; BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Andrew and his current aides have vigorously denied both Bennett and Boylan’s accounts, calling the latter’s “simply false.” In a statement over the weekend, Andrewsaid he “never made advances toward Ms. Bennettnor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.”
A spokesperson for Andrew did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Ruch’s claim.
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While Monday was the first time Chris has spoken out personally about not covering his brother on CNN,the network issued a statement last monthsaying that the time of Chris having Andrew on his show had passed.
At the time, Andrew was at the center of a controversy about how hehas handled New York’s response to COVID-19when it comes to nursing homes.
“As a result, we made an exception to a rule that we have had in place since 2013 which prevents Chris from interviewing and covering his brother, and that rule remains in place today,” the statement continued. “CNN has covered the news surrounding Governor Cuomo extensively.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
