Politics
CNN’s Chris Cuomo FINALLY addresses Gov brother Andrew’s sexual harassment scandal but insists ‘I can’t cover it’
CNN’s Chris Cuomo finally addressed the sexual harassment scandal involving his governor brother, but insisted, “I can’t cover it.”
The CNN anchor acknowledged the sexual harassment allegations made by three women against New York Gov Andrew Cuomo on Monday.
Chris Cuomo acknowledged the allegations against his brother on Monday[/caption]
Chris said he ‘cannot’ cover the allegations against his brother[/caption]
“Let me say something that I’m sure is very obvious to you who watch my show … you’re straight with me, I’ll be straight with you,” Cuomo said.
“Obviously, I’m aware of what’s going on with my brother, and obviously I cannot cover it because he is my brother.
“Of course, CNN has to cover it. They have covered it extensively and they will continue to do so.”
The CNN anchor went on to say that he has “always cared” about “these issues,” before moving on to news he felt he could ethically cover.
Chris said that CNN will continue to cover the allegations against his brother[/caption]
The anchor’s brother has been accused by two former female employees and a third woman he met at a wedding of inappropriate, sexually-forward behavior.
The former employees, Charlotte Bennett and Lindsay Boylan, both alleged sexual harassment in the work place.
Bennett told the New York Times that the governor asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including if she had sex with older men.
“I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” Bennett said.
Charlotte Bennett also accused Cuomo of unwanted sexual attention[/caption]
Boylan said that Cuomo kissed her without consent and asked inappropriate questions as well, like if she wanted to play strip poker.
Cuomo issued a statement on Sunday acknowledging that some things he has said to past employees may “have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.”
His office gave New York’s attorney general the go-ahead to hire a “private” lawyer to launch an investigation into the allegations.
Bennett on Monday said that she believes the governor “refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for his predatory behavior” in his response.
“It took the governor 24 hours and significant backlash to allow for a truly independent investigation,” she said in a statement.
“These are not the actions of someone who simply feels misunderstood; they are the actions of an individual who wields his power to avoid justice.”
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Prominent Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton have come forward supporting an investigation into the allegations.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the allegations “horrible” and said that Cuomo should step down as governor if they prove true.
“If someone purposely tried to use their power to force a woman to have sex with them, of course that’s someone who should no longer be in public service,” de Blasio said on Monday during his daily press briefing.
