Chris Cuomo, brother of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, accused of sexual harassment

Chris Cuomo, a veteran television journalist and brother of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has been accused of sexual harassment by his former colleague. 

In an essay published on New York Times on Friday, Shelley Ross, who has served as producer at ABC and CBS, wrote that Cuomo “sexually harassed me at a going-away party for an ABC colleague” in 2005.

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Recalling the incident, Ross, who was formerly Cuomo’s executive producer at ABC’s Primetime Live, wrote, “At the time, I was the executive producer of an ABC entertainment special, but I was Mr. Cuomo’s executive producer at ‘Primetime Live’ just before that.”

“I was at the party with my husband, who sat behind me on an ottoman sipping his Diet Coke as I spoke with work friends. When Mr. Cuomo entered the Upper West Side bar, he walked toward me and greeted me with a strong bear hug while lowering one hand to firmly grab and squeeze the cheek of my buttock,” she added.

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Ross went on to say that Cuomo emailed her to apologize an hour later.

The essay includes a copy of that email, that subject line of which said “now that I think of it … I am ashamed.” He first apologizes in the email to Ross’ “very good and noble husband” and then “to you as well.”

She also wrote that she she didn’t wish for the journalist to be fired from CNN, the organization where he’s worked since 2013. 

Cuomo’s brother, Andrew, resigned as New York governor last month amid a sexual harassment scandal. The CNN host also faced criticism at the time after it was revealed that he participated in strategy calls with his brother’s staff on how to handle the allegations.

Following this, CNN issued a statement that it was inappropriate  for him to do so but did not take any disciplinary action against him.