Times Union, Albany, N.Y.
CNN said Saturday it has fired suspended anchor Chris Cuomo, the latest casualty in the fallout from the sexual harassment investigation of his brother.
According to a story on the network’s website, CNN said the termination was effective immediately.
According to the story, CNN said in a statement: ” Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother’s defense. We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately.”
On Nov. 30, Cuomo was suspended “indefinitely” by the cable news network, a day after the New York attorney general’s office released a trove of text messages and transcripts of interviews that revealed his deep involvement in helping his brother, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, respond to a series of sexual harassment allegations.
The network at the time said the transcripts, text messages and other exhibits released in connection with that investigation of the former governor “shed new light on Chris Cuomo’s involvement in his brother’s defense.”
A transcript of Chris Cuomo’s interview over the summer with investigators from the attorney general revealed his practice of regularly deleting emails and texts. He indicated he used his journalism connections to learn information about those accusing his brother as well as the timing of stories about potential new claims. He then relayed that information to top advisers of the governor, who resigned in August.
In its statement last month announcing the suspension, CNN stated: “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. 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.”
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