Allison Gollust, the CNN executive in a relationship that led to the resignation of network president Jeff Zucker this month, has also resigned from the network, according to an email sent to employees.
Jason Kilar, CEO of WarnerMedia, CNN's parent company, announced Gollust's resignation in Tuesday's email.
"Allison Gollust resigned from CNN earlier today after she concluded the company's investigation into issues involving Chris Cuomo and former Governor Andrew Cuomo," Kilar said in the email.
"The investigation found violations of corporate policies, including CNN's news standards and practices, by Jeff Zucker, Allison Gollust and Chris Cuomo," Kilar wrote.
In a letter sent to CNN staff and obtained by NBC News, Gollust said she was disappointed with the way things turned out.
"WarnerMedia's statement tonight is an attempt to retaliate against me and change the media narrative after their disastrous handling of the past two weeks," she wrote. “It is deeply disappointing that after spending the last nine years upholding and upholding CNN's highest standards of journalistic integrity, I will be treated this way when I leave. But I do so with my head held high, knowing that I put my heart and soul into working with the best journalists in the world."
Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has been investigated by the network for helping his brother fight against allegations of sexual misconduct. The former governor resigned but denies any wrongdoing.
The network fired Chris Cuomo in December after an investigation by the New York attorney general detailed how he helped his brother, the former governor, defend himself against the accusations.
Zucker announced his departure on Feb. 2, telling staff he was required to disclose a relationship with a close colleague, but he hadn't.
The decision was made after he was asked about a "consensual relationship with my closest colleague" as part of the Chris Cuomo investigation.
Shortly after news of Zucker's resignation broke, CNN chief marketing officer Gollust sent a separate memo to staff acknowledging that her relationship with Zucker "changed during COVID."
"I'm sorry we didn't disclose it in a timely manner," he said. "I am incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do every day."
Gollust and Zucker previously worked together at NBCUniversal, where he was chairman and CEO and she was executive vice president of corporate communications.
Just a year ago, Gollust was considered Zucker's top lieutenant as his possible successor at CNN. She is the former director of communications for Andrew Cuomo.
Zucker had said in early 2021 that she could leave at the end of that year.
"I realize this news is disturbing, disappointing and downright painful to read," she said. "These are valid sentiments that many of you have."
