Chris Lange, FISM News
CNN Anchor Chris Cuomo made no mention of Friday’s explosive sexual harassment allegation against him during last evening’s Chris Cuomo Primetime.
Earlier in the day, Cuomo’s former ABC Primetime Live executive producer, Shelley Ross, claimed he sexually harassed her at a party in 2005 in an essay published in The New York Times.
According to Ross, the incident occurred during a mutual colleague’s farewell party. She describes Cuomo approaching her and giving her “a strong bear hug while lowering one hand to firmly grab and squeeze the cheek of my buttock,” during which he is purported to have said “I can do this now that you’re no longer my boss.”
Ross also shared an email she claims Cuomo sent her within an hour after the assault took place in which he appears to acknowledge wrongdoing. The subject line of the alleged email read “Now that I think of it … I am ashamed.” Cuomo goes on to apologize to Ross’s “very good and noble husband,” and then to her for “even putting you in such a position.”
In a statement provided by CNN to The New York Times, Cuomo acknowledged the incident while attempting to clarify his intent, stating that his behavior was “not sexual in nature,” and that he “apologized to her then, and I meant it.” Previously, however, Cuomo allegedly denied accusations of sexual misconduct in a leaked audiotape of his conversation with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen obtained by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
Cuomo came under fire earlier this year for advising older brother, Andrew Cuomo, on numerous sexual allegations made against the disgraced former New York governor while simultaneously providing coverage of the story on CNN.
Cuomo eventually withdrew himself from reporting on the scandal as public pressure mounted, admitting that his handling of the situation was inappropriate, while telling viewers “I have always cared very deeply about these issues and profoundly so. I just wanted to tell you that.”
Cuomo’s handling of his brother’s scandal was part of Ross’ decision to open up about the incident, stating that while the governor’s advisers and “loyal confidantes” were bearing the brunt of the fallout, Chris Cuomo was seen wearing a T-shirt “emblazoned with the word ‘Truth.’” She added, “For me, his statement of profound concern about sexual harassment and his ‘Truth’ T-shirt were provocations in this era of personal accountability.”
Ross states that, while she does not wish to see Cuomo fired, she hopes to see him “journalistically repent” by devoting airtime to reporting on sexual harassment in workplaces.”