Jeff Zucker today announced his resignation from CNN, confessing that he failed to fully disclose his relationship with a subordinate at the company.
"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.
This was an "open secret" and the surprise is him hitting the eject button when he was apparently to retire soon anyway. Soledad O'Brien, formerly an anchor at CNN, today suggested that Zucker and the individual, a vice president at CNN, are still not being entirely forthcoming about when the relationship began.
