On Tuesday, February 15, Allison Gollust, CNN’s top marketing officer and the love partner of recently departed CNN CEO Jeff Zucker, resigned. Gollust, 49, was a key factor in the ouster of ex-CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, according to Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar in a letter released by CNN reporter Brian Stelter, although she had a long-term relationship with her employer, Zucker.
Zucker, 56, resigned on February 2 after admitting to having a consensual relationship with another CNN executive at the time, commonly assumed to be Gollust.
After Zucker’s resignation, divorced Gollust who lived in the same apartment building stayed for two weeks in the company as the Chris Cuomo investigation was completed.Cuomo was unceremoniously sacked in December after that same investigation found he tried to help his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, dig up dirt on women who accused the governor of sexual assault.
Kilar said Tuesday that the probe, conducted by a third-party, was completed at the weekend and revealed Zucker and Gollust had a long intimate relationship.
“Based on interviews of more than 40 individuals and a review of over 100,000 texts and emails, the investigation found violations of Company policies, including CNN’s News Standards and Practices, by Jeff Zucker, Allison Gollust and Chris Cuomo,” Kilar wrote.
“I understand that this news is distressing, disheartening, and, to be honest, hard to read,” Kilar wrote. “Many of you are experiencing valid emotions.”
Cuomo was reportedly unhappy with Zucker over his firing and sought to pull his former boss down with him, according to CNN workers. It was an open secret at CNN that Zucker and Gollust were dating.
After Zucker left, an alleged CNN source told The Daily Beast, “Notice Zucker highlighted how this stemmed from the Cuomo investigation.”
“Many believe this is Cuomo dragging Zucker down on his way out.”
