House lawmakers investigating COVID pandemic demand testimony of top Cuomo aide on nursing home deaths – WRGB

House lawmakers investigating COVID pandemic demand testimony of top Cuomo aide on nursing home deaths

by Alex Weidner

Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to former Governor Andrew Cuomo. (FILE)

Albany, NY (WRGB)

Former Andrew Cuomo top aide Melissa DeRosa is finding herself in hot water with a congressional subcommittee. In a letter to DeRosa, Ohio Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup says DeRosa's memoir contradicts her own statements on her involvement with a New York State mandate that put COVID-positive patients back into nursing homes at the height of the pandemic.

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic requested DeRosa's testimony this month. The panel is looking into the March 25, 2020 order from then-Governor Cuomo's Department of Health, and allegations of a cover up of the thousands of deaths blamed on it.

The subcommittee points to DeRosa's book, "What's Left Unsaid"-- which includes an entire chapter on the nursing home controversy. Part of the letter reads:

DeRosa would have the panel believe she doesn't have possession of any notes or journals used in writing that part of the book, a claim backed up by her attorney Greg Morvillo.

In calling again on DeRosa to testify, the subcommittee suggests she was involved in the administration's decision on nursing home residents, and the subsequent cover up. Excerpted from the letter:

"The Committees position is factually wrong," adds Morvillo. "There is nothing in Ms. DeRosas memoir that says this in fact, the Committee members claim to have read Ms. DeRosas book, but anyone who has actually read the book would know that this comment is clearly and factually inaccurate."

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Andrew Cuomo, tells CBS 6, "Counsel is responding to the letter, but lets be clear the data they seek - which has already been reviewed twice by the DOJ, as well as the State Assembly and the AG, all of which found no there, there - is with the state. Once again, it's unfortunate that some DC politicians are seeking to transparently weaponize people's pain to advance a political agenda."

DeRosa has until January 19, 2024 to testify before the subcommittee, under penalty of criminal prosecution.

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House lawmakers investigating COVID pandemic demand testimony of top Cuomo aide on nursing home deaths - WRGB