A state lawmaker is pushing for an independent federal investigation into the governor's handling of nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Jeff Weber's mother, Winifred, died just a week before her 99th birthday after testing positive for COVID-19 at Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehab Center in West Islip.

Weber says he feels state leaders should have taken a closer look at the March order from the Department of Health requiring nursing homes to care for recovering coronavirus patients.

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"My mother passed away alone. It's something that will haunt me," says Weber. "I don't think that the state fully understood the way that people could become infected and that the proper training was given to the staff in various facilities throughout the state."

While Gov. Andrew Cuomo has since issued new rules regarding nursing homes, the state Attorney General and Department of Health are already investigating. Now, lawmakers like Assemblyman Mike LiPetri are calling for an independent federal investigation into the issue.

"The people of this state have lost faith in the Gov. Cuomo's handling of this crisis," says LiPetri. "I do not believe the state will investigate this atrocity impartially and substantively."

According to the state Health Department, as of Monday there were more than 280 confirmed COVID-19 deaths at nursing homes in Nassau County and 505 in Suffolk.

News 12 reached out to the governor's office, but has not yet received a reply.

 

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