CNN's Chris Cuomo passed 'intel' from 'sources' to Andrew Cuomo's aides to aid abuse defense, texts show


CNN host Andrew Cuomo was more involved in defending his brother, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), from sexual misconduct allegations than previously known, according to documents released by New York Attorney General Letitia James' office Monday. Transcripts of Chris Cuomo's July deposition and text messages between him and top Andrew Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa suggest he used his journalism contacts to help keep his brother's team abreast of developments in the sexual harassment scandal that led the governor to resign in August.
In a March 4 text, Cuomo told DeRosa, "I have a lead on the wedding girl," an apparent reference to a March 1 article in The New York Times about a woman, later identified as Anna Ruch, who accused Andrew Cuomo of trying to kiss her at a wedding. On March 7, DeRosa texted Chris Cuomo about rumors more women were about to come forward. "Can u check your sources?" she asked. "On it," he replied, adding later, "No one has heard that yet."
DeRosa asked Chris Cuomo at least twice to check his "sources" for information about a coming Ronan Farrow article featuring Andrew Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan's harassment allegations. When DeRosa texted on March 15, "Did u get any more intel?" Cuomo responded: "Story not ready for tomorrow." The New Yorker published Farrow's article March 18.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I remember Melissa asking me at some point that either they wanted to know if I knew or could find out if more were coming," Cuomo told investigators in his July deposition. "When asked, I would reach out to sources, other journalists, to see if they had heard of anybody else coming out."
Cuomo also told investigators he had asked "another journalist" about when the Farrow article was coming out, and did not tell CNN. "If I had tried to influence any of the reporting at CNN or anywhere else, I guarantee you you people would know, and so would a lot of others," he said, arguing that "one reporter calling another to find out about what's coming down the pipe is completely business-as-usual."
Chris Cuomo did not mention the newly released documents on his show Monday night. CNN said in a statement that the new transcripts and exhibits "deserve a thorough review and consideration," and "we will be having conversations and seeking additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Trump sends FBI to patrol DC, despite falling crime
Speed Read Washington, D.C., 'has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world,' Trump said
-
Trump officials reinstating 2 Confederate monuments
Speed Read The administration has plans to 'restore Confederate names and symbols' discarded in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder
-
Trump nominates Powell critic for vacant Fed seat
speed read Stephen Miran, the chair of Trump's Council of Economic Advisers and a fellow critic of Fed chair Jerome Powell, has been nominated to fill a seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
-
ICE scraps age limits amid hiring push
Speed Read Anyone 18 or older can now apply to be an ICE agent
-
Trump's global tariffs take effect, with new additions
Speed Read Tariffs on more than 90 US trading partners went into effect, escalating the global trade war
-
House committee subpoenas Epstein files
Speed Read The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for its Jeffrey Epstein files with an Aug. 19 deadline
-
India rejects Trump threat over Russian oil
Speed Read The president said he would raise tariffs on India for buying and selling Russian oil
-
NY's Hochul vows response to Texas gerrymander
Speed Read Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to play ball with redistricting that favors the Democrats