Cuomo’s office hid nursing home COVID-19 data out of fear of Trump administration

The office of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed Friday the contents of a recording that shows the governor and his team withheld from state legislators the true number of coronavirus deaths at New York nursing homes, out of fear it could be used against them by the Trump administration.

The governor’s top aide, Melissa DeRosa, confirmed the contents of the recording of a September conference call with Democratic state legislators, first reported by the New York Post, in which she admits that the governor’s office withheld the numbers due to concerns they would “be used against us” by the Justice Department under then-President Donald Trump.

The figures were ultimately revealed last month as part of an investigation into COVID-19 nursing home deaths by the office of New York Attorney General Tish James.

Sources tell ABC News that Albany lawmakers will begin discussing whether to strip Cuomo of some his coronavirus emergency powers in the aftermath of the revelation. It’s unclear whether the leaders of either the Assembly or the Senate would be on board with such a move.

Keep reading