Monday, May 31, 2021

31 May 2021: Progress in Federal, State Cuomo Scandal Probes

Cuomo probes move toward critical points with his tenure, legacy at stake

This report presents some new information we haven't seen reported elsewhere on the progress of the various state and federal investigations of Governor Cuomo's COVID nursing home scandals:

While the investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo have taken center stage, the other probes he’s facing are quietly moving forward and widening....

Among the developments, two state legislators confirmed they have been interviewed by the U.S. Justice Department about a Feb. 10 meeting in which Cuomo's closest aide admitted withholding nursing home data from them.

"I was asked to interview with the federal authorities because I was a member of the committee" in the meeting, Assemb. John McDonald (D-Cohoes), referring to the six legislators who met with top Cuomo staff, including Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor.

At that meeting, DeRosa said the administration "froze" in 2020 when pressed by legislators about the number of nursing home deaths because it thought the data might be "used against us" by federal prosecutors in the Trump administration.

McDonald said federal officials wanted to know "did this really happen?" He said interviewers were "extremely thorough" while adding, "I told them I thought (holding the meeting) was a good-faith effort by the administration to work with the Legislature."

Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) also said he’s talked with the Justice Department.

"Earlier this month, I spoke with federal investigators who expressed interest in a variety of topics, from what were the requirements set by the DOH for nursing homes to the governor's interactions with the Legislature since the pandemic started," Rivera said in a statement, referring to the state Department of Health.

The report also describe progress in the NY state attorney general's investigations:

Attorney General Letitia James has been overseeing the investigation of sexual harassment. But her office additionally is looking at whether the governor used state personnel and resources to help produce his book about the pandemic — which landed him a $5.1 million deal from a publisher.

James’ office also has interviewed several county officials about Larry Schwartz, Cuomo’s former "vaccine czar," calling them to assess their support for the governor amid the investigations.

Related information from the timeline:

Don't forget to review the major milestones in Governor Andrew Cuomo's COVID nursing home deaths scandals!

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