CNN’s Chris Cuomo asked former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) top aide Melissa DeRosa to let him help with his brother’s defense against allegations of sexual harassment.
According to newly released documents from an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Andrew Cuomo, the CNN host wrote in a March 3 text message to DeRosa, “Please let me help with the prep.”
In a text exchange between @ChrisCuomo and top Andrew Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa, the CNN host asks to “please let me help with the prep” of his older brother’s sexual harassment defense and helps devise a PR strategy. pic.twitter.com/XnQ3W2axWE
— Josefa Velásquez (@J__Velasquez) November 29, 2021
In separate texts, DeRosa asked Chris Cuomo about a “rumor going around from politico 1-2 more ppl coming out tomorrow.”
Chris Cuomo said he was “on it” and later added, “No one has heard that yet.”
DeRosa also asked the CNN host on March 9 about a report from The New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow that she thought was about to be published.
On March 14, Chris Cuomo wrote back, “If ronan has nothing better than [former Andrew Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan], thats a great sign.”
And a day later, he said, “Story not ready for tomorrow.”
.@ChrisCuomo was giving updates to DeRosa about the state of @RonanFarrow’s story on a former Gov. Cuomo aide who accused him of sexual harassment, using his sources to relay information to the administration, text exchanges show. pic.twitter.com/VTsHt3v4OJ
— Josefa Velásquez (@J__Velasquez) November 29, 2021
In August, Andrew Cuomo announced he would resign from his position after the state’s attorney general found that he sexually harassed several women, as IJR reported.
However, he denied that he “touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.”
Chris Cuomo acknowledged in August during a segment of his show that he helped advise the former governor.
He said, “I never misled anyone about the information I was delivering or not delivering on this program. I never attacked nor encouraged anyone to attack any woman who came forward. I never made calls to the press about my brother’s situation. I never influenced or attempted to control CNN’s coverage of my family.”
“And as you know, back in May when I was told to no longer communicate with my brother’s aides in any group meetings, I acknowledged it was a mistake, I apologized to my colleagues, I stopped, and I meant it,” he added.
CNN’s President Jeff Zucker said in May that Chris Cuomo “made a mistake” by advising his brother.