WarnerMedia used Chris Cuomo to lobby brother Andrew for help during COVID: report
WarnerMedia, the parent company of CNN, allegedly used Chris Cuomo’s connection to his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to lobby for policy measures that would benefit its business during COVID-19 lockdowns. According to Semafor, a news site that obtained text messages sent by WarnerMedia executive Allison Gollust in September 2020, the entertainment conglomerate attempted to persuade Andrew Cuomo to reopen movie theaters that had been closed due to the pandemic. The text messages will be presented as evidence in an arbitration proceeding initiated by Chris Cuomo, who was fired from CNN in late 2021 after providing communications and strategic advice to his brother in response to allegations that he sexually harassed former aides. Chris Cuomo is seeking $125 million from CNN for wrongful termination. The arbitration hearing is set to take place later this month and may include testimony from former CNN stars, including Don Lemon, Brian Stelter, Jeff Zucker, and Allison Gollust.
FAQs
What is the connection between Chris Cuomo and Andrew Cuomo?
Chris Cuomo is the younger brother of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Both have been involved in high-profile careers, with Chris Cuomo working as a CNN anchor and Andrew Cuomo serving as the governor of New York for three terms before resigning in August 2021.
Why is WarnerMedia accused of using Chris Cuomo’s connection to his brother?
According to a report by Semafor, WarnerMedia attempted to persuade Andrew Cuomo to reopen movie theaters that were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The text messages obtained by Semafor suggest that WarnerMedia executive Allison Gollust communicated with Andrew Cuomo in September 2020 to request that he speak to Ann Sarnoff, who then headed studios at WarnerMedia. At the time, WarnerMedia was reportedly eager to cash in on “Tenet,” a big-budget movie by director Christopher Nolan that ended up grossing $363.7 million worldwide.
What is the arbitration proceeding initiated by Chris Cuomo against CNN?
Chris Cuomo is seeking $125 million from CNN for wrongful termination. He was fired in late 2021 after it was learned that he provided communications and strategic advice to his brother, who was fending off allegations of sexual harassment. The arbitration hearing, which is set to take place later this month, may involve testimony from former CNN stars, including Don Lemon, Brian Stelter, Jeff Zucker, and Allison Gollust.
Report claims WarnerMedia utilized Chris Cuomo to influence his brother Andrew’s aid during COVID.
WarnerMedia, the AT&T subsidiary that owned CNN before it merged with Discovery last year, reportedly used Chris Cuomo’s connection to his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to lobby for policy measures that would benefit its business during COVID-19 lockdowns. According to Semafor, a news site that obtained text messages sent by WarnerMedia executive Allison Gollust, the company tried to get the then-governor to open movie theaters that were shut down as a result of the pandemic. Gollust asked Andrew Cuomo to speak to Ann Sarnoff, who at the time headed studios at WarnerMedia. WarnerMedia was eager to cash in on the highly anticipated movie “Tenet” by director Christopher Nolan, which ended up grossing less than analyst estimates. The text messages will be presented as evidence in an arbitration proceeding initiated by Chris Cuomo, who is seeking $125 million from CNN for wrongful termination. Cuomo was fired by CNN in late 2021 after it was learned that he provided communications and strategic advice to his brother, who at the time was fending off allegations that he sexually harassed former aides. Cuomo will reportedly present the texts into evidence to show that his then-bosses were eager to use their connections to the former governor. The arbitration hearing is scheduled for later this month and may include testimony from former CNN stars including Don Lemon, Brian Stelter, Jeff Zucker, and Gollust. CNN declined to comment.