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ERIE COUNTY COMPTROLLER SUPPORTS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE NURSING HOME DEATHS

Modified: February 12, 2021 1:14pm
Created: February 12, 2021 1:14pm

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February 12, 2021
State lawmaker calling for Former US Attorney Preet Bharara to probe Governor Cuomo alleged coverup of nursing home death data
 
Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw says supports calls to appoint Preet Bharara as special prosecutor to investigate the nursing home deaths in New Yok State. Mr. Bharara is the former federal prosecutor who served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  
 
New York State Senator Michael Martucci, a Republican representing the 42nd district, is calling for Mr. Bharara to be appointed to probe into wrongdoing and any alleged coverup by the Cuomo Administration in the number of seniors who died in nursing homes in New York State.  This comes after a top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo acknowledged that data was withheld on nursing home COVID-related deaths in numerous published reports.
 
“Melissa DeRosa, a top Cuomo aide, admitted Governor Cuomo was not forthcoming about Coronavirus nursing home deaths.  That’s unconscionable.  Was there a coverup? Last June I called for an investigation.  I think appointing Preet Bharara, a Democrat with a history of independence and penchant for exposing the truth, is a necessary step to getting the answers every New Yorker deserves,” said Comptroller Mychajliw.
 
The Cuomo Administration has come under fire for his policies that ordered sick seniors stricken with COVID into nursing homes around previously healthy patients.
 
“This death sentence for seniors that needlessly died needs to be investigated.   Families have suffered for far too long.  These seniors and their loved ones deserved better.  Hiring a special prosecutor is the right thing to do.”
 
“Republicans and Democrats, in a bi-partisan show of unity, should support this recommendation. Mr. Bharara is a Democrat. He would be an independent choice to investigate nursing home deaths and why a top Cuomo aide told lawmakers they lied, denied and stonewalled the Justice Department on the true number of seniors that died,” concluded Comptroller Mychajliw.
 
For a PDF of the press release, please CLICK HERE.