CNN Fires Chris Cuomo After He 'Broke Our Rules' in Aiding Besieged Governor Brother

CNN terminated Chris Cuomo amid an investigation into allegations that he helped his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, respond to allegations of sexual harassment, the company announced Saturday.

CNN said in a tweet: "Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother's defense. We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately. While in that process of that review, additional information has come to light. Despite the termination, we will investigate as appropriate."

Cuomo wrote in a statement on Twitter Saturday: "This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother. So let me now say as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN's #1 show in the most competitive time slow. I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work."

Cuomo was first suspended last Tuesday after transcripts released by the New York attorney general's office alleged that he helped advise and assist in his brother's responses to the sexual harassment allegations. Numerous accusers alleged that Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed them.

The transcripts detailed how he allegedly used his position to find information about his brother's accusers. They alleged that he also promised to inquire about the possible release of articles on his brother written by Politico and The New Yorker.

"I have a lead on the wedding girl," Chris Cuomo allegedly wrote in a text message.

The media company faced pressure from some to fire Cuomo, even as others defended him.

"Anything short of firing Chris Cuomo reflects a network lacking both morals and a backbone," Charlotte Bennett, one of Andrew Cuomo's accusers, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

When he was suspended on Tuesday, CNN wrote that he "broke our rules."

"We also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second," CNN said Tuesday. "However, these documents point to a greater level of involvement in his brother's efforts than we previously knew."

Andrew Cuomo resigned as New York governor on August 10—one week after AG Letitia James' released a report into sexual allegations against him. The report alleged that he harassed 11 women, including female employees, and created a toxic work environment.