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Chris Cuomo’s book pulled from publication after CNN firing, accusation of sexual harassment
Chris Cuomo continues to face fallout days after he was accused of sexual harassment and suspended then fired from CNN for intimately helping his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
HarperCollins Publishers confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that Cuomo’s forthcoming book has been pulled from publication. Spokesperson Kelly Rudolph said Custom House, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, “does not intend to publish the Chris Cuomo book.”
The untitled book was originally supposed to be published in October 2022, according to Amazon, which has since scrubbed the book’s online listing.
Cuomo’s book was described as “a provocative analysis of the harsh truths that the pandemic and Trump years have exposed about America – about our strength and our character – and a roadmap of the work needed to make our ideals match reality.”
Cuomo announced on Instagram earlier this week that he’s stepping away from his SiriusXM show, thanking his “loyal listeners” and Sirius XM for the “support” he received during his time there. A spokesperson for the broadcasting company confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday that Cuomo’ show “Let’s Get After It” will no longer air.
“While I have a thick skin, I also have a family, for whom the past week has been extraordinarily difficult,” he said. “So, right now, I have to take a step back and focus on what comes next. That means I will no longer be doing my Sirius XM radio show.”
Amid the turmoil, a new allegation of sexual harassment emerged against the former anchor.
Attorney Debra Katz said in a statement Sunday that she contacted CNN on Wednesday regarding her client’s allegations of “serious sexual misconduct” against Cuomo.
Two days later, she said she “was in discussions with CNN about providing documentary evidence of my client’s allegations and making my client available for an interview with CNN’s outside counsel.”
CNN announced Cuomo’s dismissal the next day. Cuomo was fired for assisting his brother as the politician faced similar sexual harassment allegations.
Cuomo’s spokesman Steven Goldberg told The New York Times and The Washington Post on Saturday that the allegations were not true. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for SiriusXM, CNN and Cuomo for further comment.
“My client came forward at this time because she felt in sharing her story and related documentation, she could help protect other women,” said Katz, who also represents Andrew Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett. “She will continue to cooperate with CNN’s investigation into her allegations.”
The client wishes to remain anonymous, Katz noted. Details of her allegations of “serious sexual misconduct” were not immediately available, and it is not clear what role the allegations played in Cuomo’s firing.
The new misconduct allegation comes after a veteran TV executive, Shelley Ross, wrote a column for The New York Times in September saying Chris Cuomo had groped her at a party 16 years ago when they both worked for ABC News. Cuomo told the newspaper that “I apologized to her then, and I meant it.”
On Saturday, CNN tweeted about Cuomo’s termination saying his firing is “effective immediately.”
“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,” the statement read. “We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review and have terminated him.”
Cuomo responded to his termination on Twitter calling the decision “disappointing.”
“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,” he wrote. “I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN’s #1 show in the most competitive time slot.”
He added: “I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work.”
According to dozens of transcripts, video interviews and text messages released Monday by the New York Attorney General’s Office, Chris Cuomo used his media “sources” and “other journalists” to look into the women who accused his brother, who then was the governor of New York, of sexual harassment.
CNN hired a law firm for that review, which it would not identify. The lawyers recommended Chris Cuomo’s termination and CNN chief Jeff Zucker informed the anchor of the decision on Saturday.
“It goes without saying that these decisions are not easy, and there are a lot of complex factors involved,” Zucker said in an email to CNN staff on Saturday.
Even with the firing, CNN said it will continue to investigate Cuomo’s conduct “as appropriate.”
CNN suspended the anchor Tuesday “indefinitely” after discovering the records released by the attorney general’s office. Cuomo addressed his suspension during his Sirius XM radio show Wednesday calling the disciplinary action weighed against him “embarrassing.”
“It hurts to even say it. It’s embarrassing. But I understand it. And I understand why some people feel the way they do about what I did. I’ve apologized in the past, and I mean it,” Cuomo said on his SiriusXM radio show. “It’s the last thing I ever wanted to do was compromise any of my colleagues and do anything but help.”