Chris Cuomo's Legal Woes: Crossing The Line?

Chris Cuomo is an American television journalist who was fired from CNN in 2021 for helping his brother, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, navigate a sexual harassment scandal. While Chris Cuomo's actions were deemed inappropriate and a violation of journalism ethics, CNN's initial investigation found insufficient evidence to prove a federal crime. However, the case raises questions about the boundaries of journalistic integrity and the role of family in ethical decision-making. With multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against Andrew Cuomo and the subsequent fallout for his brother, the Cuomo family's legacy in New York politics has been significantly impacted.

Chris Cuomo's involvement in his brother's sexual harassment scandal

Chris Cuomo, a former CNN anchor and the younger brother of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, was fired from the network in December 2021 for his involvement in his brother's sexual harassment scandal.

In March 2021, Chris Cuomo acknowledged on his program that he could not cover any issues regarding the sexual harassment allegations against his brother, citing a conflict of interest. However, it was later revealed that he had participated in strategic discussions to advise his brother on how to respond to the allegations. In May 2021, CNN called Cuomo's engagement in these conversations "inappropriate" but initially decided against taking any disciplinary action. Cuomo issued an apology, stating that advising his brother was a "mistake."

In November 2021, the New York Attorney General's office released documents showing that Cuomo had used his media sources to gather information about his brother's accusers and inquire about potential new accusers. The documents also revealed that Cuomo helped craft statements for his brother and was in touch with his brother's aides about future reports of misconduct. Following this revelation, Cuomo was suspended indefinitely from CNN and later terminated.

Cuomo's actions were widely criticized, with many journalists stating that he had violated professional and ethical canons by seeking to manage media coverage of his brother, an elected official. CNN employees also expressed dismay, with some calling for his termination. Cuomo's involvement in his brother's scandal was seen as a breach of trust and a violation of journalistic ethics.

While Cuomo's specific actions in aiding his brother's defense are still being investigated, his termination from CNN and the subsequent backlash highlight the importance of journalistic integrity and the potential consequences when trust is broken with the public and one's employer.

CNN's decision to terminate Chris Cuomo's contract

CNN terminated Chris Cuomo's contract in December 2021, following the revelation of his involvement in his brother's sexual harassment scandal.

Cuomo, a former anchor at CNN, was revealed to have played a significant role in assisting his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in countering sexual harassment allegations. Documents made public by the New York Attorney General's office indicated that Cuomo exchanged texts with his brother's former aides and sought to be included in handling the allegations.

The documents also revealed that Cuomo mentioned in a text message that he had "a lead on the wedding girl," likely referring to a woman who accused the former governor of inappropriate touching during a wedding. Cuomo also admitted to contacting his sources in the media to gather information on potential additional accusers.

CNN initially suspended Cuomo indefinitely, stating that his actions raised "serious questions" and violated their rules. They hired a law firm to conduct a review of the new information, which ultimately led to Cuomo's termination.

Cuomo expressed disappointment with the decision, stating that he had already explained why and how he helped his brother. He also expressed pride in his work at CNN and the team he worked with.

Following his termination from CNN, Cuomo faced additional allegations of sexual misconduct from a former colleague at ABC News.

Chris Cuomo's alleged sexual misconduct

In 2021, Chris Cuomo faced the fallout from an allegation of sexual misconduct when an anonymous claim by a former junior colleague at ABC News surfaced around an alleged 2011 incident. Although Cuomo denied the allegation, the situation reportedly accelerated the end of his time at CNN.

In September 2021, Cuomo's former boss Shelley Ross accused him of sexual harassment in a New York Times op-ed. Ross claimed that Cuomo grabbed and squeezed her buttocks at a New York City bar in 2005 during a going-away party for their colleague. She quoted from his subsequent email, noting that he apologised to her husband before apologising to her. Cuomo admitted to the incident, describing it as "not sexual in nature". He said he "apologised to her then, and I meant it".

In December 2021, Debra Katz, the attorney for another former colleague of Cuomo's, informed CNN that her client had accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that Cuomo invited her to his office for lunch and after she rejected his sexual advances, he assaulted her. Katz has since claimed that this accusation precipitated Cuomo's termination from CNN.

The Cuomos' public personas being shattered

The Cuomo brothers, Chris and Andrew, were once media darlings, with Chris anchoring at CNN and Andrew serving as the Governor of New York. However, their public images took a significant hit due to separate scandals.

Andrew Cuomo's daily coronavirus briefings during the pandemic turned him into a media sensation, and he frequently appeared on his brother's show, "Cuomo Prime Time," where they displayed a playful dynamic. The governor's handling of the pandemic initially earned him praise, but this image was shattered when he resigned in August 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal. An investigation by the New York Attorney General, Letitia James, found that he had sexually harassed 11 women, including nine current or former state employees.

Chris Cuomo's own reputation was tarnished when it was revealed that he had a hand in assisting his brother in countering these sexual harassment allegations. He was suspended and later terminated by CNN for violating journalistic ethics and his contract by participating in strategy calls with his brother's aides. Additionally, Chris faced his own sexual misconduct allegations, further damaging his public standing.

The fall from grace for both brothers was swift and severe, as they went from being celebrated in the media to facing intense scrutiny and public condemnation. The revelations about their actions led to a shattering of the positive public personas that the Cuomos had cultivated over the years.

Chris Cuomo's $125 million lawsuit against CNN

In March 2022, Chris Cuomo filed a $125 million lawsuit against CNN, claiming that he was wrongfully terminated. The lawsuit was filed after Cuomo was fired from CNN in December 2021 following reports that he assisted in the defense of his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, against sexual harassment allegations.

Cuomo's lawsuit alleges that he was unlawfully fired based on false claims and that CNN selectively enforced its policies based on public perception. He claims that his journalistic integrity has been unjustifiably smeared, making it difficult for him to find similar work in the future. The lawsuit also mentions CNN's decision to keep Jeffrey Toobin as a senior legal analyst after he masturbated during a video call with colleagues.

Cuomo's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, stated that CNN's decision to fire Cuomo was indefensible and that Cuomo has been damaged in countless ways, including losing future wages as a result of CNN's actions. The lawsuit seeks damages of $125 million, including missed back pay, incentives, and future earnings.

In addition to CNN, the lawsuit also names Don Lemon and Jake Tapper, two former colleagues of Cuomo, alleging that they were not disciplined for ethical lapses. Lemon was accused of texting Jussie Smollett, while Tapper allegedly offered political advice to a congressional candidate.

Cuomo's filing exposed more ugliness at CNN, where Cuomo, CNN chief Jeff Zucker, and his top deputy, Allison Gollust, have all departed in the past three months. Zucker resigned under pressure after it was revealed that he violated company policies by not disclosing his relationship with Gollust.

Frequently asked questions