Chris Cuomo accused of sexual assault in bombshell report about CNN turmoil

A bombshell report from The New York Times revealed new particulars about what led to the firing of CNN anchor Chris Cuomo. 

Cuomo was initially suspended by CNN over revelations from the New York Attorney General’s report that uncovered his involvement in defending his brother, disgraced ex-Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, through the governor’s sexual harassment scandal. 

However, the “Cuomo Prime Time” host was finally terminated after the community discovered about a sexual misconduct allegation made by a former junior colleague of his throughout their time at ABC News. 

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While particulars of Cuomo’s habits had been unknown on the time, a shocking report from the Times provided a vivid image of the turmoil that befell on the liberal community, together with the contents of the letter high-profile legal professional Debra Katz despatched to CNN detailing the accusation. 

“It relayed a story that had begun in 2011 when the woman, who was referred to as Jane Doe, was a young temporary ABC employee hoping for a full-time job. One day, after Mr. Cuomo, an anchor, had offered her career advice, he invited her to lunch in his office, according to the letter, interviews with the woman and emails between her and Mr. Cuomo,” the Times reported. “When she arrived, there was no food. Instead, Mr. Cuomo badgered her for sex, and after she declined, he assaulted her, she said. She ran out of the room.”

“Cuomo Prime Time” completed November as cable information’ No. 25 most-watched present. 
(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

According to the report, the lady tried to “smooth things over” with pleasant emails to Cuomo in the hopes of touchdown a full-time job at ABC and he or she had advised “five friends and former colleagues” about “unwelcome sexual requests” from Cuomo however kept away from sharing the assault declare till the previous yr. 

Katz’s letter revealed that Cuomo contacted the lady “seemingly out of the blue” “at the height of the #MeToo uprising” following the downfalls of media icons like Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer and that, in accordance with the Times, Cuomo “proposed arranging a CNN segment about the company where she worked doing public relations. The woman tried to avoid any contact with Mr. Cuomo, but CNN ultimately broadcast a segment anyway.”

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“After years without any substantive communication from Mr. Cuomo whatsoever, Ms. Doe suspected he was concerned about her coming forward publicly with her allegations and wanted to use the proposed segment as an opportunity to ‘test the waters’ and discourage her from going on the record about his sexual misconduct,” Katz wrote in the letter, including that her shopper didn’t wish to turn into “a pawn in an internecine war between Zucker, Chris Cuomo and CNN.” 

CNN’s Chris Cuomo was one of a number of unpaid, trusted exterior figures consulted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his Executive Chamber employees to grapple with the quite a few sexual harassment allegations in opposition to him. 
(Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal through Getty Images through Getty Images)

A consultant for Cuomo advised Fox News Digital the claims “are false. He was never asked about the allegations prior to being terminated or given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.”

Cuomo was beforehand accused of sexual harassment by veteran TV producer Shelley Ross, who alleged that Cuomo grabbed her buttock at a 2005 occasion as ABC colleagues. Ross produced the e-mail he had despatched to her apologizing for the incident in the visitor essay she penned in the New York Times final yr. 

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The Times report additionally detailed the shut relationship Cuomo had with Jeff Zucker, CNN’s president who was compelled to resign earlier this month over his affair with a deputy govt. 

“Mr. Zucker told Mr. Cuomo that CNN was suspending him because of his unethical interactions with his brother, New York’s governor. Mr. Cuomo was shocked and offered to resign. Mr. Zucker countered that the anchor might be able to return at some point, according to people with knowledge of the conversation,” the Times reported. “Mr. Cuomo felt reassured. He and Mr. Zucker were confidants, their fortunes entwined. Mr. Cuomo didn’t bother to consult a lawyer.”

A spokesperson for Chris Cuomo stated the previous anchor and CNN boss Jeff Zucker had “no secrets” concerning his involvement in defending his scandal-plagued large brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
(J. Countess/Getty Images  |  CNN)

The Times reported that Zucker felt Cuomo “had misled him” about his conduct with Gov. Cuomo, writing that the CNN president “was losing patience and “initially deliberate to fireplace Mr. Cuomo, earlier than deciding to carry off” earlier than the sexual assault allegation emerged. 

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Representatives for Zucker didn’t reply to Fox News’ request for remark. 

Fox News’ Brian Flood contributed to this report.