Nation

Runs in the family? Former ABC News producer accuses Chris Cuomo of sexual harassment

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2021

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Former ABC News executive producer Shelley Ross accused CNN host Chris Cuomo of sexually harassing her at a work party in 2005. The New York Times published her essay on the incident.

“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,” Ross wrote. “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.”

“I can do this now that you’re no longer my boss,” Cuomo told her as he embraced her. According to her, he had a “cocky arrogance” about him. After she pushed him off, she pointed out her husband in the room. Ross quickly left the party with her husband. In the end, Cuomo apologized to Ross over the incident.

This comes after Cuomo’s brother Andrew Cuomo resigned as New York Governor over similar sexual harassment accusations. Ross decided to write the accusation as a result of Cuomo’s response to his brother’s resignation. He wore a “Truth” t-shirt on air following the news.

“For me, his statement of profound concern about sexual harassment and his ‘Truth’ T-shirt were provocations in this era of personal accountability,” Ross wrote.

Meanwhile, Cuomo defended himself in a statement to the New York Times. “As Shelley acknowledges, our interaction was not sexual in nature,” Cuomo said. “It happened 16 years ago in a public setting when she was a top executive at ABC. I apologized to her then, and I meant it.”

Read Ross’ full essay here.

You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism.

Featured

Historic House Vote Expels Rep. George Santos Amidst Scandal

Published

6 hours ago

December 1, 2023

Alexander Carter

In a turn of events, the House of Representatives made history on Friday with a vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), marking the first such expulsion in over two decades. A moment fraught with gravity unfolded as Speaker Mike Johnson wielded his gavel to formalize Santos’ removal, setting a precedent in congressional annals.

Santos, indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, and other charges, has not faced conviction but stands accused of misusing campaign funds for opulent purchases. The bipartisan vote, tallying 311 to 114, signaled robust support for expulsion, with a marginally higher number of Republicans opting to retain Santos.

Questions loomed as Speaker Johnson left the chamber, his silence leaving the fate of the ongoing government spending battle uncertain. According to reports from Fox News, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer emphasized the non-partisan nature of the decision, asserting that members concluded Santos had tarnished the House’s reputation and was unfit for representation.

Within the GOP, conflicting opinions emerged, with Rep. Darrell Issa arguing against expulsion, citing the presumption of innocence. The tight-lipped stance of the House Ethics Committee played a pivotal role in the deliberations.

Conversely, members of the New York Republican delegation, led by Rep. Marc Molinaro, asserted Santos’ commission of crimes, justifying expulsion based on a comprehensive investigation.

Santos himself predicted the outcome in an exclusive morning interview on “FOX & Friends.” This vote not only underlines the House’s rare use of expulsion powers but also sets a critical precedent in handling members facing severe legal challenges.