Malliotakis Blasts DOJ for Failure to Investigate Cuomo's Mishandling of Nursing Homes
Statement
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, released the following statement blasting the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to not pursue a thorough investigation into New York State's deadly mandate that placed COVID-positive patients into nursing homes and long term care facilities resulting in the deaths of nearly 15,000 seniors. In May 2020, Malliotakis, who was a member of the State Assembly at the time, was the first elected official to call for an investigation of the Governor's mishandling of nursing homes during the pandemic.
"It is absolutely disgraceful that the DOJ is ignoring our repeated calls to investigate Governor Cuomo and his executive order that led to the unnecessary deaths of nearly 15,000 seniors in New York State," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "Not only did Governor Cuomo enact reckless policies, fail to follow proper safety protocols, or provide enough PPE for our most vulnerable and their staff, his administration intentionally covered up the true number of COVID-19 deaths in these facilities, as detailed in Attorney General Letitia James'January reportand admitted to by his top aide, Melissa DeRosa.For months his administration accused us of playing partisan games, but his hand-picked Attorney General confirmed our suspicions; Governor Cuomo's failed leadership destroyed the lives of thousands. These grieving families want justice for their loved ones. It's shameful that the DOJ refuses to investigate the governor's deadly actions and provide the answers and transparency these families deserve."
In March, the New York State Department of Health ordered nursing homes and long-term care facilities to accept individuals who tested positive for coronavirus. The directive remained even after the state set up emergency hospitals to treat positive patients, including at the Javits Center, Staten Island's South Beach Psychiatric Center, and on the U.S. Navy Ship Comfort.
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