Chris Cuomo.Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty
Chris Cuomowas accused of sexual misconduct in the days before histermination from CNN.
In astatementreleased Sunday, attorney Debra Katz said she contacted the network on Wednesday to report her client’s allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo.
“By Friday, I was in discussions with CNN about providing documentary evidence of my client’s allegations and making my client available for an interview with CNN’s outside counsel. Last night, CNN acted promptly on my client’s complaint and fired Mr. Cuomo,” the statement said.
“My client came forward at this time because she felt in sharing her story and related documentation, she could help protect other women,” Katz added, noting that the unidentified woman “will continue to cooperate with CNN’s investigation into her allegations.”
Katz also said, “In the wake of public sexual harassment allegations against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Chris Cuomo looked directly into the camera and told viewers ofCuomo Prime Time, ‘I have always cared very deeply about these issues and profoundly so. I just wanted to tell you that.'”
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“The documents, which we were not privy to before their public release, raise serious questions,” the network said in a statement at the time. “When Chris admitted to us that he had offered advice to his brother’s staff, he broke our rules and we acknowledged that publicly. But we also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second.”
Andrew Cuomo, Chris Cuomo.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Chris briefly addressed the suspension on his SiriusXM showLet’s Get After Itthe next day: “It hurts to even say it. It’s embarrassing. But I understand it and I understand why people feel the way they do about what I did. I’ve apologized in the past. I mean it. It’s the last thing I wanted to do was compromise any of my colleagues and do anything but help.”
CNN announced the decision to fire Chris in a statement on Saturday, noting “additional information has come to light” while evaluating the journalist’s involvement in the defense of his brother Andrew, whoresigned as governor of New Yorkin August following allegations of sexual misconduct.
“Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this weekend pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother’s defense,” said the statement. “We retained a respected law firm to conduct a review, and have terminated him, effective immediately.”
In aseparate statementof his own, the formerCuomo Prime Time host said this is not how he wanted his time at the network to end.
“So let me say now as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN’s #1 show in the most competitive timeslot,” Chris wrote. “I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work.”
source: people.com
