Clermont Times

Washington, D.C. - Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's top aid, Melissa DeRosa, is facing scrutiny from the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, chaired by Brad Wenstrup and represented by Nicole Malliotakis. The subcommittee has requested DeRosa to provide documents and sit for a transcribed interview regarding New York's deadly COVID-19 nursing home directive. However, DeRosa's attorney has claimed that she does not have any responsive documents and lacks subject matter expertise in the matter.

This denial of involvement contradicts DeRosa's previous statements in her new book and differs significantly from publicly reported information about her role in the Cuomo administration during the pandemic. In their letter to DeRosa, Chairman Wenstrup and Rep. Malliotakis pointed out the inconsistencies, stating, "You publicly discussed and defended the Cuomo Administration’s nursing home Order—arguing that it was consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. Of course, despite your statements, the Order was not consistent with federal guidance."

Chairman Wenstrup and Rep. Malliotakis are determined to hold DeRosa accountable for her alleged efforts to aid Cuomo's fatal directive and conceal the true nursing home mortality rate. They have reiterated their request for documents and have invited DeRosa to testify under penalty of criminal prosecution if she was truly not involved in influencing or implementing these deadly policies.

"It is not your nor your attorney’s right to determine whether you can contribute to our inquiry, that rests solely with the Select Subcommittee," the letter stated. "You owe answers to the thousands of families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes. Any assertion that you were not involved in issues regarding the Order grossly mischaracterizes publicly available information and your own representations."

The Select Subcommittee's investigation into New York's COVID-19 nursing home directive has been ongoing. They have previously sent letters to Governor Kathy Hochul, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and other state officials, seeking information and accountability. The subcommittee has also issued a subpoena threat to former Governor Cuomo and requested a transcribed interview with him.

The controversy surrounding the handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes in New York has been a significant issue. Families who lost loved ones have been seeking answers and accountability. The Select Subcommittee's investigation aims to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

The letter to Melissa DeRosa and the ongoing investigation by the Select Subcommittee highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in handling public health crises. The families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes deserve answers, and it is crucial that those involved in making life-or-death decisions during the pandemic are held accountable for their actions.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://wenstrup.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407972