Chris Cuomo sexual harassment accuser: CNN host hasn’t changed since he ‘groped’ me

The veteran television journalist who accused CNN host Chris Cuomo of sexually harassing her when they worked together at ABC News doesn’t think the "Cuomo Prime Time" namesake has learned his lesson.

In a guest essay for the New York Times published Friday, former executive producer Shelley Ross wrote Cuomo squeezed the cheek of her buttock without her permission in 2005. She also produced an email where Cuomo appeared to admit to the incident and apologized for his behavior. Ross expected CNN’s most-watched host to have evolved since the incident occurred, but feels his response to her essay proves he’s "no more enlightened" today than he was at the time of the inappropriate touching.

"I was hoping that in 15, 16 years that he had changed, but he's no more enlightened today than he was then, as demonstrated by his response," Ross told Insider.

Ross’ essay included a copy of an email from Cuomo the same evening where he said he was "ashamed" of his behavior and even noted actor Christian Slater had been arrested for similar conduct. Cuomo, who was 34 at the time of the alleged incident, asked Ross to pass along an apology to her "very good and noble husband," and added, "I apologize to you as well, for even putting you in such a position." He said he would remember his lesson the next time he was happy to see her.

In a statement to the Times, Cuomo reiterated his apology to Ross while noting their interaction was "not sexual in nature."

"As Shelley acknowledg... (Read more)

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