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Cuomo Faces Criminal Complaint; Armorer from "Rust" Releases Statement; NYC Braces for Worker Shortage. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired October 29, 2021 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

MIGUEL DIAZ, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE: Faith into practice in a way that speaks not just to Christians, not just to Catholics but really to our human family.

And, you know, and I might add that the pope has called human indifference the greatest of all viruses. And I think that's important because we are (INAUDIBLE) to overcome the indifference that is all around us, both within the United States and around the world.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it's interesting, Pope Francis even, you might say, chastised U.S. bishops when they were publicly criticizing President Biden, saying that those bishops should be pastors and not condemning. And that's something that's been consistent with his broader message for the Catholic Church since he was elevated.

Listen, good speaking to both of you, Ambassador Diaz, Christopher White, here with me in Rome.

Erica, quite a momentous few days coming up following this visit. Many meetings with world leaders. Some of them are going to be difficult. And then, of course, the climate conference to come. This is a busy week for President Biden.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, it certainly is. And we'll continue to follow this portion, of course, with you from Rome throughout the next hour and a half.

Still ahead, on the U.S. side, serious legal trouble for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. More on the allegation that resulted in a criminal complaint. That's next.

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[09:35:42]

HILL: Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now the focus of a criminal complaint alleging sexual misconduct. This new filing stems from an alleged incident at the governor's mansion last December when a woman says he forcibly touched her breast. Cuomo's attorney has denied the allegation. Cuomo, of course, resigned in August following the New York attorney general's report that found he had sexually harassed multiple women.

CNN's Brynn Gingras joining me now.

So, Brynn, what's next here?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Erica, well, what's next is Andrew Cuomo needs to actually appear in court. That date is set for November 17th. But let me walk you through this a little bit more.

As you said, this is a misdemeanor criminal complaint that was filed in Albany City court for forcible touching, alleging that Andrew Cuomo, as you said, forcibly placed his hand, it reads on the complaint, under the blouse of a victim back in the governor's mansion on the date, December 7, 2020.

It comes just a few months, of course, after that scathing report that was released by the New York Attorney General's Office that accused Cuomo of sexually harassing 11 women. And if you remember, one of those women was identified as executive assistant number one. Shortly after that report came out, we know that that former aide went to the Albany County Sheriff's Department and filed allegations of groping by the governor with that department. And we know an investigation was opened. We know that that former aide sat down for several interviews.

So we know then that this is going to move forward. We're going to see Andrew Cuomo have to answer to this. The interesting thing, though, to note here there, Erica, though, is that the Albany County Sheriff's Department did not coordinate with the Albany County District Attorney's Office before filing this complaint. And that's highly unusual, particularly when we're talking about the former governor of New York being involved in this. And also because from the very beginning we were told that those two sides would be working together to coordinate this. So there's a lot of questions still that are very curious and we're trying to answer. But certainly we know that the governor does have a court date set for November 17th.

Erica.

HILL: Yes, that part is curious. You're right. I know you're digging for a little bit more on that.

Brynn, appreciate it. Thank you.

This morning, for the first time we're hearing from the armorer for the "Rust" movie. Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez releasing a statement to NBC saying that she has no idea how live ammunition made it on to that movie set. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in that fatal shooting last week. And we've learned that Hutchins' family and close friends plan to gather for a private funeral on Sunday.

CNN's Josh Campbell has been covering this story for us. He's live this morning in Santa Fe.

So, Josh, we know that Hannah Gutierrez, at this point, is one of two people that officials say they're really focusing on for this investigation. It's her and the assistant director there. The case is a little bit complex. What more do we know and what more

we're hearing from the sheriff and even from Hannah Gutierrez this morning?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, you know, talking to prosecutors we know that one key area that they're looking at, Erica, is how those live rounds actually got on to the set. That will be a key determination in their decision whether to bring any potential criminal charges.

As you mentioned, the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, is breaking her silence, putting out this statement, taking issue with the idea that she was responsible here. Her lawyers writing, safety is Hannah's number one priority on set. Ultimately this set would never have been compromised if live ammo were not introduced. Hannah has no idea where the live rounds came from.

Now, according to court documents that we obtained, she had told detectives that live rounds are never on set. That has been contradicted by the sheriff. He spoke last night with our colleague, Chris Cuomo, about that issue of live rounds. Cuomo also asked him whether he believes that these witnesses are being truthful.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF ADAN MENDOZA, SANTA FE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO: I think it's clear that a live round was discharged by the firearm based on the fact that it did kill Miss Hutchins and it wounded Mr. Souza. That round, that projectile, has been recovered.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Do you believe people are cooperating fully and truthfully to this point?

MENDOZA: Well, the focused individuals have given initial statements. But, again, we'd like to get these people back and have some follow-up questions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMPBELL: Now, the sheriff, Mendoza, was on CNN a short time ago. He reiterated that point that these witnesses are being cooperative. But speaking specifically about Hannah Gutierrez, who has that statement out today saying she's not responsible, the sheriff saying the sooner they can get her in for additional questions, the better.

[09:40:07]

In his words, they want to clarify some things.

Erica.

HILL: All right, Josh Campbell with the latest.

Josh, thank you. Still to come, thousands of essential workers in New York hours away

from unpaid leave. The latest on the protests here in New York City against the employee vaccine mandate. That's next.

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[09:45:05]

SCIUTTO: We are live in Rome, in front of the breathtaking St. Peter's Basilica. President Biden meeting now with Italian leaders, including the president, Sergio Mattarella, as well as the prime minister, Mario Draghi. This follows just a short time ago the president's 90-minute meeting, historically long meeting between the U.S. president, really, and any world leader and the pope, Pope Francis here at the Vatican. The White House says the two discussed some serious issues, climate change, as well as the pandemic during the meeting, in particular sharing more vaccines with developing countries around the world. But a very warm, laughs and jokes filled meeting between the two of them as well as exchanging gifts.

Soon, though, perhaps a different meeting for President Biden. He will meet his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. This follows a very public dispute between the U.S. and France. This following France briefly recalling its ambassador for the first time in more than 100 years from the U.S., upset over a U.S.-led deal to sell nuclear submarines to Australia, which undercut France's own submarine deal with that country. French diplomats have been complaining to me and others that they had no notice of that. We're going to take you live there at the beginning of that meeting to see what the president has to offer to attempt to repair that relationship.

A lot coming forward today and in the coming days, Erica. We're going to be here for it.

HILL: Yes, that's for sure.

Back here in the U.S., Jim, a lot of focus on the FDA today, which is expected to authorize Pfizer's COVID vaccine for children ages five to 11 today. That means younger kids could get their first shots within days. That news juxtaposed with thousands of New York City employees, among them police officers and firefighters, who could be placed on unpaid leave if they have not received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine by close of business today. The mandate itself has led to protests. City officials are bracing for a possible worker shortage come Monday. Mayor Bill de Blasio, though, says city services will continue.

CNN national correspondent Miguel Marquez live now in New York.

So, Miguel, we're hours away from this deadline, of course. Where do things stand this morning?

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think it's -- we're not going to really know the full effect of this until into next week, probably Monday. Right now firefighters are telling their own individuals whether they're vaccinated or not to show up to work on Monday and let them be turned away from work, to basically show the mayor what sort of services will not be available.

We're talking about tens of thousands of workers here. Everything from firefighters, police officers, sanitation workers. The vaccination rates for all of these categories of workers has been ticking up in recent days. But it's nowhere near the place where it needs to be. Keep in mind, we had a similar situation with teachers, and with healthcare workers in New York City where there was great concern about the number of teachers and healthcare workers who would not get vaccinated. And as these deadlines neared, they did get vaccinated.

Firefighters will say, and police will say, you can't churn out firefighters and police officers like you can police -- nurses and teachers. So we will see into next week. They will be put on paid leave for 30 days until they make their final decision.

Back to you.

HILL: All right. We'll be watching as that clock counts down. Miguel, appreciate it, thank you.

Still to come, a new SEC filing shows just how quickly Senator Richard Burrs' brother-in-law dumped stocks after a quick phone call between the two. What does that mean for the investigation into Senator Burr? That's next.

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[09:52:53]

SCIUTTO: This one of the more anticipated meetings of the summit. Actually, Macron is coming later. This is the U.S. president getting ready to meet the Italian prime minister, Mario Draghi. You see the pomp and circumstance here as his Italian counterpart welcomes him to Rome. This, one of a series of face-to-face meetings for President Biden today and in the coming days.

Let's listen in.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That's a great honor, thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, Italy totally (INAUDIBLE) leading (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But that is (INAUDIBLE). The two (INAUDIBLE) states (INAUDIBLE).

BIDEN: How long were you at the embassy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was five years at the embassy and then at Rome (ph) for six years (INAUDIBLE) New York (INAUDIBLE).

BIDEN: I'll tell you what, I think the nicest embassy in Washington is the Italian embassy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

BIDEN: No, I really mean it.

SCIUTTO: As we noted, President Biden here in Rome preparing to meet the Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. The comes on the heels of this face-to-face, very warm meeting with Pope Francis, which lasted some 90 minutes.

After meeting the Italian prime minister, President Biden will go on to meet the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Perhaps one of the most difficult meetings for him over the course of this G-20 because of the very public disagreement with France over the U.S. nuclear submarine deal with Australia.

Draghi, Italy, the host, of course, of the G-20 Summit.

[09:55:01]

This is the first in-person G-20 Summit in two years. The last one, all remote. This one, mostly in person, though some world leaders chose not to attend, including the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The American president, though, Joe Biden, is here.

It appears, in fact, that President Biden has completed his meeting with the Italian prime minister and then will be going on to meeting with the French president, Emmanuel Macron.

HILL: That meeting, Jim, too, with the French president happening at the French embassy. A lot has been made of that, right, happening on French turf, essentially, as this meeting, as you pointed out, so important in the wake of that dust-up, that snub as it was seen by France, in the wake of this deal with Australia for submarines. Be interesting to see what we learn coming out of that meeting.

SCIUTTO: That's right. It's a busy schedule for President Biden. This is, in fact, him going to mee the prime minister, Mario Draghi. He met the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, earlier, then then it is the meeting with Macron, as Erica said, at the French embassy that will follow.

And as you say, Erica, that was a very rare and difficult public spat between two very close allies to the degree that France, for the first time in more than a century, recalled its ambassador from the U.S. to express its frustration, its protest at the U.S. not only making the deal, but doing so, French diplomats have told me, without warning the French sufficiently.

HILL: Absolutely. And it will be so interesting to hear, you know, what comes out of that meeting, what is said between the two leaders.

SCIUTTO: As we watch these pictures of the president's motorcade departing his meeting with the Italian president, going on to the Italian prime minister, we're going to take a quick break and we're going to be right back with more news.

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