LOS ANGELES – Andrew Cuomo, who resigned as New York governor over sexual harassment allegations, was stripped yesterday of the Emmy he won for his primetime pandemic briefings.
The one-time Democratic Party heavyweight won global plaudits for his straight-talking television performances about the coronavirus as it raged through the United States in early 2020.
His performances, which came as then-president Donald Trump sowed confusion with incoherent messages about the health crisis, earned him the International Emmy Founders Award.
But yesterday, the day after Cuomo left the governor's mansion, the academy said it was taking back the gong.
“The International Academy announced today that in light of the New York attorney-general’s report, and Cuomo’s subsequent resignation as governor, it is rescinding his special 2020 International Emmy Award,” the organisation said, according to US media.
“His name and any reference to his receiving the award will be eliminated from International Academy materials going forward.”
Past recipients of the award include Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Spielberg, and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.
Cuomo’s confident performance at the beginning of the pandemic led to talk of a possible presidential run, as well as the emergence of a dedicated band of fans, some of whom dubbed themselves “Cuomosexuals”.
But his stock started to slide late last year as he became engulfed in accusations that he covered up the true extent of Covid-19 deaths at nursing homes.
Several women then came forward this year alleging that the 63-year-old had behaved inappropriately towards them.
The accusations culminated in an explosive report by state Attorney-General Letitia James released this month that said he sexually harassed 11 women, including by engaging in unwanted touching.
Cuomo strenuously denied the allegations and initially rejected calls to quit, including from President Joe Biden.
In a pre-recorded speech on his final day in office on Monday, Cuomo was defiant.
“There was a political and media stampede. But the truth will come out in time. Of that, I am confident,” he said. – AFP, August 25, 2021
