by Thinus Ferreira
CNN has fired Chris Cuomo, also seen on WarnerMedia's CNN International (DStv 401) "effective immediately" for secretly helping his embattled brother Andrew Cuomo who was a former governor of New York who was embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal.
CNN in a statement late on Saturday night following a new investigation into Chris Cuomo, said that the TV news channel had "terminated him, effective immediately".
Chris Cuomo was suspended on Tuesday this past week after more court documents in the form of video testimony and SMS messages were released by the New York attorney general, revealing that Chris Cuomo as a CNN anchor had a much more involved role in secretly helping and coaching his brother and using contacts as his position as a journalist to try and find information to help Andrew Cuomo.
Andrew Cuomo resigned in August.
"Based on the report we received regarding Chris's conduct with his brother's defense, we had cause to terminate. When new allegations came to us this week, we took them seriously, and saw no reason to delay taking immediate action."
"Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother's defense."
"We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately. While in the process of that review, additional information has come to light. Despite the termination, we will investigate as appropriate."
Jeff Zucker, CNN president, in a memo emailed to CNN staffers, wrote "You are all aware that earlier this week we made the decision to suspend Chris Cuomo while we evaluated some new information that came to light regarding his involvement in his brother's defense."
"Today, I let Chris know that we are ending his employment at CNN. It goes without saying that these decisions are not easy, and there are a lot of complex factors involved. But, as always, it was important to me to be upfront with each of you."
Chris Cuomo in a statement after CNN fired him, says "This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother".
"So let me now say as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN's number one show in the most competitive time slot. I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work."
