Statement from Senator Borrello on Cuomo Administration Nursing Home Deaths Coverup

ALBANY – Senator George Borrello is calling for the U.S. Department of Justice and the New York Attorney General’s Office to investigate Governor Cuomo’s administration after the Governor’s top aide admitted his administration withheld the state’s nursing home death toll from federal officials out of fear the numbers “would be used against us.” 

“This news is as heartbreaking as it is expected. After months of stonewalling and blaming everyone else other than themselves for these deaths, now we know it’s been a cover up all along. This is nothing less than obstruction of justice. The families of the 15,000 men and women who died in New York’s nursing homes deserve no less than a complete and transparent investigation into how this happened.” 

“It’s shocking to me that the first apology from this administration wasn’t to the families who lost loved ones, or to the New Yorkers who deserve answers. Instead, the first apology from this administration was to political insiders for inconveniencing them. That’s just cold-hearted and it speaks volumes about the character of this governor and his administration. Political expediency is the only thing this Governor cares about.” 

“Make no mistake, none of this was done without the Governor’s knowledge. Nothing happens in his administration without Governor Cuomo’s approval. I’m calling on the New York Attorney General’s Office and U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the actions of Governor Cuomo, the Secretary to the Governor and the New York State Health Commissioner that caused this crisis. Their actions directly contributed to the deaths of nursing home residents.” 

“New Yorkers, especially the families of those who lost loved ones, deserve to know how this happened and why. This won’t be swept under the rug. We need an investigation.” 

Senator Borrello called on Senate Democrats to stop blocking attempts to fully investigate the actions of the Cuomo administration. 

“This nursing home crisis has escalated beyond the point where Senate Democrats’ can use politics as a roadblock. They have a duty to their constituents, and all New Yorkers, to help lead the effort to uncover the truth,” said Senator Borrello.  

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