Allison Gollust, CNN’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, resigned from the network following news of her relationship with her ousted former boss Jeff Zucker.
“Earlier today Allison Gollust resigned from CNN following the conclusion of the Company’s investigation into issues associated with Chris Cuomo and former Governor Andrew Cuomo,” WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced in a memo to staff Tuesday, per Fox News.
“Based on interviews of more than 40 individuals and a review of over 100,000 texts and emails, the investigation found violations of Company policies, including CNN’s News Standards and Practices, by Jeff Zucker, Allison Gollust, and Chris Cuomo,” he continued.
“We have the highest standards of journalistic integrity at CNN, and those rules must apply to everyone equally. Given the information provided to me in the investigation, I strongly believe we have taken the right actions and the right decisions have been made,” he added.
Gollust, however, issued her own statement to colleagues.
“I had hoped to share my news with you tonight myself, and WarnerMedia had assured me I could do that,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, they jumped the gun, breaking their promise. I am sorry you had to learn this from someone other than me.”
“WarnerMedia’s statement tonight is an attempt to retaliate against me and change the media narrative in the wake of their disastrous handling of the last two weeks. It is deeply disappointing that after spending the past nine years defending and upholding CNN’s highest standards of journalistic integrity, I would be treated this way as I leave. But I do so with my head held high, knowing that I gave my heart and soul to working with the finest journalists in the world,” she added.
Gollust’s resignation came shortly after Zucker was forced to resign for failing to disclose their years-long affair.
“Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years,” she said at the time. “Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time.”
Indeed, as previously reported by Human Events News, Jeff Zucker resigned from CNN two weeks ago due to his relationship with Gollust.
“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. 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 wrote in a memo to employees.