CNN's Chris Cuomo advised brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo on how to handle sexual harassment allegations

The Washington Post

The Washington Post reports that the Cuomo Prime Time host won't be disciplined by his CNN bosses after he "joined a series of conference calls that included the Democratic governor’s top aide, his communications team, lawyers and a number of outside advisers" on how to respond to sexual harassment allegations made earlier this year by women who had worked with the governor. "The calls occurred earlier this year, when a growing number of claims that Andrew Cuomo made inappropriate comments or touched women without their permission had escalated into a political crisis for the three-term governor," reports The Post's Josh Dawsey and Sarah Ellison. "The cable news anchor encouraged his brother to take a defiant position and not to resign from the governor’s office, (sources) said. At one point, he used the phrase 'cancel culture' as a reason to hold firm in the face of the allegations, two people present on one call said. The behind-the-scenes strategy offered by Chris Cuomo, who anchors CNN’s 9 p.m. nightly newscast, cuts against the widely accepted norm in journalism that those reporting the news should not be involved in politics." In a statement, CNN acknowledged that Chris Cuomo took part in the strategy sessions, saying his involvement was a mistake. “Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes,” CNN said in its 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. He will not participate in such conversations going forward.” Chris Cuomo was already in hot water after it was revealed earlier this year that he got access to COVID testing when those tests were rare because of his brother.