CNN President Jeff Zucker resigns over consensual relationship with key lieutenant, CNN reports

CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker, “the influential news executive who reshaped the iconic network,”  has resigned, reports CNN.

According to the CNN report, “Zucker’s stunning announcement came less than two months after he fired prime time anchor Chris Cuomo for improperly advising his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, about how to address sexual misconduct allegations.

“”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 told employees in a memo. “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.”

“Zucker did not name his colleague, but the relationship is with Allison Gollust, his key lieutenant for the last two decades. Gollust is remaining at CNN.

“Zucker and Gollust began working together at NBC in 1998. They rose through the ranks at the network together, and when Zucker joined CNN, Gollust was among his first hires. Just before coming to CNN Gollust had worked briefly as communications director for Andrew Cuomo. She is currently executive vice president and chief marketing officer at CNN.”

Beyond Zucker and Cuomo, the media spotlight has been focusing on CNN in recent months. In December 2021, CNN reported that John Griffin, a producer with CNN for about eight years, was arrested and charged with three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont said in a news release.

Later in December 2021, NBC News reported that a former CNN producer “is under investigation of allegations regarding “juvenile victims” in Fairfax, Virginia, the second former employee to be have been to accusations involving minors this month.

“The man, Rick Saleeby, a former senior producer at the network, is being investigated by detectives of the child exploitation unit of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Bureau, the police department confirmed in a statement.”