CNN Suspends Lead Anchor Who Misused Media Contacts To Help Brother And NY Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo Tide Over Sexual Harassment Charges

CNN has announced the indefinite suspension of prime time anchor Chris Cuomo following explosive revelations that he leveraged his media network to help his brother, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, navigate allegations of sexual harassment.

"The New York Attorney General's office released transcripts and exhibits Monday that shed new light on Chris Cuomo's involvement in his brother's defense," a CNN spokesperson said Tuesday evening. "The documents, which we were not privy to before their public release, raise serious questions."

"When Chris admitted to us that he had offered advice to his brother's staff, he broke our rules and we acknowledged that publicly," the spokesperson continued. "But we also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second."

"However, these documents point to a greater level of involvement in his brother's efforts than we previously knew," the spokesperson added. "As a result, we have suspended Chris indefinitely, pending further evaluation." the spokesperson added.

In August this year, Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as the governor over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations. An independent investigation by the New York Attorney General's office found that he sexually harassed 11 women, including state employees. Women alleged that he made sexual comments, inappropriately touched or groped them, and kissed them without consent.

Chris Cuomo himself accused of sexual harassment by journalist Shelley Ross, who detailed her allegations in a Times op-ed in September. Ross wrote that Chris grabbed her buttock at a party in 2005

In May this year, Chris Cuomo offered an on-air apology after a media report revealed he had actively participated in strategy calls with his brother Andrew Cuomo (the then governor of New York) on how to navigate the allegations of harassment. He said that he will recuse himself from covering the sexual harassment controversy.

Andrew and Chris are the sons of former New York governor Mario Cuomo.

Chris Cuomo himself accused of sexual harassment by journalist Shelley Ross, who detailed her allegations in a Times op-ed in September. Ross wrote that Chris grabbed her buttock at a party in 2005