Chris Cuomo was interviewed in probe of his brother, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Here's why
Tuesday’s bombshell report on the conduct of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed that the governor’s brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, was interviewed as part of the investigation and testified he urged his brother to show remorse.
Chris Cuomo apologized on air in May after reports surfaced that he counseled his older brother on how to respond to the allegations, including huddling with the governor and his top aides.
The report released Tuesday read: “During his testimony, Chris Cuomo explained that there was discussion about remedial measures the (Executive) Chamber should take in light of the sexual harassment allegations, but some people had taken the position that 'they should just wait.'”
The attorney general’s investigation found that in times of crisis, with public opinion hanging in the balance, the Democratic governor brought his brother into his inner circle. The two are very close friends.
Chris Cuomo was one of 179 individuals interviewed during the nearly five-month probe.
More: Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in violation of law, AG report finds
The report found it “revealing and consistent with the Executive Chamber’s overall approach,” that Cuomo’s Albany brain trust expanded to include “a number of individuals with no official role in the Executive Chamber,” including the governor’s younger brother.
“None of them was officially retained in any capacity by the Executive Chamber or any of the individuals involved,” the report said.
“Nonetheless, they were regularly provided with confidential and often privileged information about state operations and helped make decisions that impacted state business and employees — all without any formal role, duty, or obligation to the state.”
The date and length of investigators’ interview of Cuomo is not spelled out, but it is twice referenced in report footnotes and the younger Cuomo appears four times in the blockbuster report.
Chris Cuomo also received access to COVID-19 testing early on in the pandemic, as part of the controversy over the governor giving preferential treatment to his family and close allies.
The younger Cuomo had his brother on his prime-time CNN show regularly in 2020 during the early months of the pandemic, with the duo discussing the state's response and joking with each other about their family lives.
The show helped elevate the governor's profile, but his appearances ended before the scandals broke.
In May, CNN said Chris Cuomo has not been involved in the coverage of his brothers' travails
"However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor's staff, which Chris acknowledges. He will not participate in such conversations going forward," the statement concluded.
More: Can Cuomo survive politically and stay in office? He vows to, but calls to go grow
More: Highlights of AG report against Andrew Cuomo: 11 women harassed, 179 witnesses interviewed
Reach Peter D. Kramer at pkramer@lohud.com or on Twitter at @PeterKramer. Read his latest stories.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Why Chris Cuomo was interviewed in probe of his governor brother
