CNN Suspends Prime Time Anchor For Allegedly Helping Out His Brother

Cable News Network (CNN) has suspended its prime time anchor Chris Cuomo indefinitely pending further evaluation.

This is after it emerged that he helped his brother Andrew Cuomo, a former New York governor, who is facing sexual harassment accusations.

The documents that were released by New York’s governor  Letitia James prove that the CNN anchor was greatly involved in his brother’s case unlike what the media house thought, therefore putting his future at stake.

“The New York Attorney General’s office released transcripts and exhibits Monday that shed new light on Chris Cuomo’s involvement in his brother’s defense. The documents, which we were not privy to before their public release, raise serious questions,” said a CNN spokesperson on Tuesday evening

According to the documents, Chris used media contacts to gather information about women who were accusing his brother of sexual harassment and made the ex governor aware of the forthcoming coverage.

“When Chris admitted to us that he had offered advice to his brother’s staff, he broke our rules and we acknowledged that publicly. But we also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second.

“However, these documents point to a greater level of involvement in his brother’s efforts than we previously knew. As a result, we have suspended Chris indefinitely, pending further evaluation,” the spokesperson further said.

Chris has been widely criticized for violating journalistic norms with people calling for his sacking. His 9 pm show is the most watched CNN’s show of the day.

The documents released by Letitia include text messages and transcripts of interviews with investigators who were in charge of the investigations against Andrew.

The anchor is said to have helped in crafting his brother’s response against the sexual harassment allegations.

Earlier on Chris defended himself saying that it is normal for journalists to call each other to find more information.

“The idea of one reporter calling another to find out about what’s coming down the pipe is completely business-as-usual,” he said.

He also told CNN viewers that he was not an advisor but a brother. He admitted to having talked to his brother’s aides and given his take on the matter until CNN asked him to stop doing so in May.

Andrew resigned as a New York’s governor in August this year.

RELATED STORY: President Uhuru Takes A Swipe At International Media, Reveals Why He Stopped Watching CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera