CNN is still standing by Chris Cuomo despite his role in helping brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo battle sexual harassment allegations

BuzzFeed News

Chris Cuomo testified in the independent investigation that found that his brother sexually harassed multiple women. An email written by the CNN anchor that was included in the report showed him suggesting the governor downplay the allegations by saying “sometimes I am playful and make jokes” and that he did so in order to add “some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.” When covering the investigation, CNN anchor John King briefly mentioned his colleague's role in the saga, but didn't go into specifics. When asked if Chris Cuomo would face consequences, a CNN spokesperson referred Buzzfeed to a previous statement in May, in which his actions were called "inappropriate" but not meriting disciplinary actions. Meanwhile, CNN employees speaking anonymously lashed out at the network's decision not to punish Chris Cuomo. “I think that, as journalists, it’s our responsibility to act in the most responsible possible way, not only to maintain journalistic integrity, but also for the public to regain trust in journalism and television news,” a CNN staffer told Buzzfeed. “And the fact that Chris Cuomo wasn’t fired over his inappropriate conflict of interest in actively affecting a news story is not only irresponsible of CNN, but also a disgrace to journalism.”