CNN Chief Jeff Zucker Resigns In Latest Cuomo Fallout

NEW YORK CITY — Longtime CNN chief Jeff Zucker suddenly resigned Wednesday — a stunning departure first reported by the network and entwined with its ties to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Zucker said revelations from an internal probe into Cuomo's brother and former CNN host Chris Cuomo led to his decision.

"As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo's tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years," Zucker said in a statement. "I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't. I was wrong.

"As a result, I am resigning today."

The colleague is unnamed in Zucker's statement, but CNN media reporter Brian Stelter revealed her identity: Allison Gollust, the network's chief marketing officer.

Gollust is former communications chief for Andrew Cuomo.

She will stay with the network, Stelter reported, along with a statement from her: "Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time."

The relationship and resignation reveal the former governor's ties to the network's inner went beyond his brother's now-stopped popular show.

Chris Cuomo had long courted controversy by having Andrew Cuomo on his show for chummy interviews, especially during the coronavirus pandemic's height.

But the media criticism gave way to accusations of full-blown unethical conflict of interest when it was revealed that Chris Cuomo advised his brother's team on how to handle accusations of sexual harassment that later prompted the governor's resignation.

Chris Cuomo was ultimately fired for using his media connections to help his brother.

But the fallout apparently didn't end there — an internal probe into Chris Cuomo is what unveiled Zucker's undisclosed relationship.