Chris Cuomo, Of The Cuomo News Network and The New York Cuomos

This shouldn’t be news to anyone who paid a lick of attention during the Andrew Cuomo scandal, but brother and CNN prime time anchor Chris Cuomo was very involved in running media cover for his brother, the disgraced former Governor of New York.

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo was more extensively involved in helping to defend his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, against allegations of sexual misconduct than he has previously acknowledged, according to documents released Monday by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Text messages between the CNN journalist and top Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa show that Chris Cuomo offered to draft statements for his brother to use to deny misconduct, demanded more influence over the strategy, and even researched potential news coverage and accusers for the governor’s office.

“Please let me help with the prep,” Cuomo wrote at one point to DeRosa, as the claims against the governor surfaced earlier this year.

On another occasion, the younger Cuomo texted DeRosa that he needed “all the best facts” for “reporters. Who can do it?”

Chris Cuomo also appeared to use his journalistic connections to gather information for the governor’s team. He fielded requests from DeRosa for “intel” on a then-unpublished investigative story by New Yorker writer Ronan Farrow and information about a rumor that more accusers were about to come forward on March 7.

“On it,” Cuomo responded to the second request. About 40 minutes later, he wrote back, “No one has heard that yet.”

The messages deepen questions about whether Chris Cuomo, one of CNN’s star anchors, crossed lines in his advocacy for his brother and misused his position as a prominent cable television anchor.

Chris Cuomo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. He appeared as scheduled on his show Monday night and did not address the allegations. Cuomo told investigators that he was frequently in touch with other journalists to learn what they had heard about the claims but said he was not a “substantive player” in the strategy discussions and did not share information with other reporters on behalf of the governor.

“I didn’t have a role on the team. I’m not on his team,” the CNN anchor said, according to transcripts released by James’s office. “I’m his brother and I’m a Cuomo.”

In a statement, CNN said, “The thousands of pages of additional transcripts and exhibits that were released today by the NY Attorney General deserve a thorough review and consideration. We will be having conversations and seeking additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days.”

The Washington Post reported earlier this year that the younger Cuomo had participated in strategy sessions with the governor and his aides as Andrew M. Cuomo (D) was fielding mounting complaints about inappropriate comments and physical contact.

The CNN anchor has also acknowledged at the time that he had assisted the governor’s office with advice about how to handle the pandemic.