The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced on Tuesday that it has rescinded an honorary Emmy awarded to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) last year.
The organization said in a statement that “in light of the New York Attorney General’s report, and Andrew Cuomo’s subsequent resignation as Governor, it is rescinding his special 2020 International Emmy Award. His name and any reference to his receiving the award will be eliminated from International Academy materials going forward,” according to Variety.
Cuomo was awarded the International Emmy Founders Award for “effective communication and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the news outlet noted.
At the time, International Academy president and CEO Bruce L. Paisner lauded Cuomo for the way he used television to bring New Yorkers a sense of calm at the start of the pandemic.
“The Governor’s 111 daily briefings worked so well because he effectively created television shows, with characters, plot lines, and stories of success and failure,” Paisner said then, according to Variety. “People around the world tuned in to find out what was going on, and New York tough became a symbol of the determination to fight back.”
The Founders Award is meant to highlight people who are able to go beyond cultural divides o connect a “common humanity,” Variety reported.
J.J. Abrams, Norman Lear, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg have reportedly all been honored with the award previously.
Cuomo earlier this month announced his resignation as governor of New York following the release of Attorney General Letitia James’s investigation that found he had sexually harassed several women.
He was replaced by New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Tuesday.