The telling contrast between Chris and Andrew Cuomo's harassment apologies
Chris Cuomo knew he'd done something wrong.
One of the more striking details of Friday's allegation that the CNN host sexuallly harassed Shelley Ross, his former boss at ABC News, is the speed of his apology. Only about an hour passed, Ross wrote in The New York Times, between the moment Cuomo squeezed her buttock at a 2005 going-away party for a colleague — in front of her husband — and the moment he sent her an email awkwardly expressing contrition.
"Now that I think of it ... I am ashamed," he wrote. "So pass along my apology to your good and noble husband ... and I apologize to you as well, for even putting you in such a position."
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.
Cuomo doesn't get plaudits for expressing regret. As Ross notes, the full email reads like a legalistic hedge against accountability. But the very existence of the message, the felt need to do damage control, is proof that Cuomo immediately knew he'd done something wrong — or, at least, something that could get him in trouble.
That's notable, because so often high-profile men accused of sexual harassment try to evade responsibility by pleading innocence of intention — suggesting they're the victims of evolving mores. It was a joke. Or a misunderstanding. Or the accused didn't realize just how much times had changed. That's the angle former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Chris' brother, took when defending himself against multiple harassment allegations. "In my mind, I've never crossed the line with anyone," Andrew Cuomo said in his resignation speech last month, "but I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn."
It's tough to credit those defenses. Nearly 30 years after Anita Hill testified against Clarence Thomas, and after a gazillion human resources office seminars on harassment, the only adults who don't understand that you shouldn't put hands on a coworker or underling are those who don't want to know. Chris Cuomo — who advised his brother during the scandal — certainly knew, all the way back in 2005.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Ecuador's cloud forest has legal rights – and maybe a song credit
Under the Radar In a world first, 'rights of nature' project petitions copyright office to recognise Los Cedros forest as song co-creator
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Apprentice: will biopic change how voters see Donald Trump?
Talking Point 'Brutal' film depicts presidential candidate raping first wife Ivana, but some critics believe portrayal is surprisingly sympathetic
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Monsters: why is the Menendez brothers Netflix hit so controversial?
Talking Points Ryan Murphy’s latest true-crime series recounts infamous 1989 Beverly Hills murders, but some critics say his retelling takes too many liberties with the truth
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
From 'Teenage Dream' to millennial nightmare – where did it go wrong for Katy Perry?
Talking Points Brutal reviews for new album represent a serious setback in the pop star's attempted return
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
A Very Royal Scandal: more trouble for the royals?
Talking Points Amazon Prime's new Prince Andrew drama could be another headache for the royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
Trigger warnings on screen spark dissent
Talking Point Are they a measure of sensitivity or just unnecessary posturing?
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: pure 'nostalgia bait'
Talking Points Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder return for sequel to the 1988 cult classic
By The Week UK Published
-
Oasis reunion: can they pull off the masterplan?
Noel and Liam Gallagher have reunited for a 2025 tour after an acrimonious split in 2009
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Why theatres are abandoning intervals
Talking Points Younger audiences prefer pause-free performances but a break ensures extra revenue, and theatregoers' comfort
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published