CNN host Chris Cuomo used sources to find info on Andrew Cuomo accusers: Records

CNN host Chris Cuomo used his sources within the media world to search info on girls who accused his brother Andrew Cuomo, then the governor of New York, of sexual harassment, in accordance to paperwork launched Monday by the New York Attorney General’s Office.

While Chris Cuomo has beforehand acknowledged advising his brother and his crew on the response to the scandals, the data present that his position in serving to the then-governor was a lot bigger and extra intimate than beforehand identified.

Chris Cuomo was actively in contact with Melissa DeRosa, who was the then-governor’s prime aide, about incoming media reviews that detailed alleged sexual harassment by Andrew Cuomo, in accordance to displays from the Attorney General’s probe and a transcript of his interview with the state’s investigators. He additionally lobbied to assist the governor’s workplace because it sought to climate the storm of accusations, and he dictated statements for the then-governor to use.

“Please let me help with the prep,” Chris Cuomo mentioned to DeRosa in a single message in early March. Then, three days after the New York Times reported in March about how Andrew Cuomo tried to kiss a girl, Anna Ruch, in an undesirable advance at a marriage, Chris Cuomo texted DeRosa: “I have a lead on the wedding girl.”

Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, resigned in August after state Attorney General Letitia James, who’s now working for governor herself, issued her report on the alleged misconduct. Andrew Cuomo has continued to deny wrongdoing. Chris Cuomo has beforehand mentioned that he wasn’t an official advisor to his brother, however he did acknowledge he endorsed him and that he was one of many individuals who inspired the governor to step down.

A CNN spokeswoman didn’t return an e-mail looking for remark.

Chris Cuomo advised investigators that he engaged with what he described as “sources” relating to the varied allegations towards his brother that have been described in at the very least one information article, in accordance to the data. He additionally mentioned he talked to his sources about yet-to-be-published tales from media retailers.

“I would – when asked, I would reach out to sources, other journalists, to see if they had heard of anybody else coming out,” Cuomo advised investigators.

Chris Cuomo did give investigators the title of the supply who talked to him about Ruch, however the Attorney General’s workplace selected to redact the title of the person.

“And so you heard from someone some information about Anna Ruch. Who is the person you heard information from?” the investigators requested Chris Cuomo, in accordance to the transcript. “A source,” Chris Cuomo mentioned.

He mentioned that somebody had referred to as him who knew the bride’s household, and {that a} good friend of his had heard that “maybe she had been put up to it.” It’s unclear whether or not Cuomo was referring to Ruch or another person. There have been no additional particulars of that incident included within the transcript. An legal professional for DeRosa didn’t reply to a request for remark. Ruch couldn’t be reached.

Chris Cuomo, 51, additionally guided DeRosa on writing statements for his older brother, who will flip 64 subsequent week.

On March 12, Chris Cuomo despatched a textual content message to DeRosa with a full written assertion for the governor.

“I will not resign, I cannot resign,” the texted assertion reads. “I understand the political pressure I understand the stakes of political warfare, and that’s what this is… And I understand the conformity that can be forced by cancel culture,” it additionally says.

A textual content message despatched by DeRosa to Cuomo on March 9 reveals a possible assertion by his workplace concerning the Attorney General’s investigation. Cuomo’s responded “lose last,” as his suggestion to the assertion.

In the message, Chris Cuomo appears to counsel to investigators that he meant to encourage DeRosa to take out the ultimate line of the proposed assertion, which learn, “The governor’s previous statement that he has never touched anyone inappropriately stands.”

“Well, either you’re telling us the truth or you’re not telling us the truth. And to me, that sounds like political speak, you know, like, media speak. And I don’t think that that’s the right way to behave in those situations,” the CNN anchor defined to investigators his rationale for altering the assertion.

Also in March, DeRosa texted Chris Cuomo: “Rumor going around from politico 1-2 more ppl coming out tomorrow. Can u check your sources?” The CNN primetime host responded: “On it.” He subsequently texted her: “No one has heard that yet.”

DeRosa and Chris Cuomo additionally mentioned in March a yet-to-be printed story from New Yorker investigative reporter Ronan Farrow. The article ran March 18.

Prior to that, DeRosa requested Chris Cuomo to verify together with his sources concerning the Farrow piece. The data don’t present a direct response from Chris Cuomo agreeing to verify together with his sources. But on March 14, 4 days be the story was printed, he texted DeRosa: “If If ronan has nothing better than boylan thats a great sign.”

“Did u get any more intel?,” DeRosa requested him a day later. “Story not ready for tomorrow,” Chris Cuomo responded that day.

Cuomo advised investigators he spoke with “another journalist” concerning the soon-to-be-released Farrow story. Although he mentioned he didn’t name Farrow about it, he mentioned his efforts to communicate to a fellow journalist about an upcoming story have been “business-as-usual.”

Lindsey Boylan, a former Andrew Cuomo aide, was the main focus of Farrow’s story. Among a number of different accusations, Boylan mentioned the governor advised her, “Let’s play strip poker,” whereas on a non-public airplane.