New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was reportedly advised by his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, on how to respond to the growing number of sexual harassment allegations that began appearing earlier this year, four people familiar with the discussions told the Washington Post.
The younger Cuomo brother reportedly joined Gov. Cuomo's top aide, his communications team, lawyers and a number of outside advisers in a series of conference calls made earlier this year to discuss claims from women that Gov. Cuomo had inappropriately touched or made comments to women without their permission.
The people, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said that Cuomo had advised his brother not to resign. Two of those people present on one call said that Cuomo had used the term "cancel culture" as a "res as on to hold firm in the face of the allegations," the Washington Post writes.
One professor at the Columbia Journalism School and a New Yorker staff writer Nicholas Lehman pointed out the conflict of interests, saying that "If you are actively advising a politician in trouble while being an on-air host on a news network, that’s not okay."
CNN released a statement acknowledging Chris Cuomo's involvement in the calls, adding that his involvement was inappropriate, and a mistake.
"Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes,” said the statement. "In part because, as he has said on his show, he could never be objective. But also because he often serves as a sounding board for his brother."
"However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor’s staff, which Chris acknowledges," it continued. "He will not participate in such conversations going forward.”
CNN will reportedly not be disciplining Cuomo for the revelations.
Gov. Cuomo aids insist that his brother was merely part of an informal support effort.
"There were a few phone conversations, with friends and advisers giving the governor advice,” said spokesman for the governor Rich Azzopardi.
Those familiar with the governor's office strategy calls which Chris Cuomo took part in said that while he regularly took part, he did not lead the conversation. He mainly gave political advice, rather than addressing the woman's accounts.
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