Nursing-home kin rip Cuomo COVID lawsuit dismissal: ‘He should be in prison’

New York Post - Apr 5th, 2025

A federal judge dismissed a $10 million wrongful-death lawsuit against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, which alleged his administration's policies led to thousands of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. The lawsuit was filed by eight plaintiffs, including Patricia Biondi and Stacie Druckman, who blame Cuomo for the loss of their family members and criticize his decision to run for NYC mayor. The plaintiffs argued that Cuomo's directive, requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, violated residents' rights. However, Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled the claims lacked legal evidence, noting the state didn't create the virus or imprison the residents.

The lawsuit's dismissal is part of ongoing legal and political challenges surrounding Cuomo's handling of the pandemic. His administration's March 2020 directive aimed to alleviate overwhelmed hospitals but faced backlash for allegedly contributing to nursing home deaths. While Cuomo's spokesperson praised the ruling as justice, plaintiffs plan to appeal despite acknowledging the difficulty of succeeding in New York. The controversy highlights the enduring pain of families and the complex legal landscape regarding pandemic-era policies, with Cuomo's political future in the spotlight as he campaigns for mayor.

Covid 19 Lawsuit New York Andrew Cuomo Public Health Policy Nursing Homes Katherine Polk Failla

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging account of a legal decision involving former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and COVID-19 nursing home deaths. It accurately reports the dismissal of the lawsuit and includes emotional reactions from the plaintiffs, which enhances its human interest appeal. However, the story could benefit from more balanced perspective representation and a deeper exploration of the legal and political context. The reliance on a limited range of sources affects its credibility, and further verification of certain claims, such as Cuomo's political status, is necessary. Overall, the article addresses significant public interest topics and has the potential to influence public opinion, but its impact may be limited by the lack of diverse viewpoints and in-depth analysis.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports the dismissal of a lawsuit against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo regarding COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, citing a federal judge's decision due to lack of evidence. The claim about the controversial directive issued by Cuomo's administration on March 25, 2020, is also accurate and well-documented. However, the story's assertion that Cuomo is the frontrunner in NYC's mayoral race lacks verifiable evidence and would need further confirmation. Additionally, the article cites plaintiffs' opinions and emotions, which are subjective and not factual claims. Overall, the story aligns with known facts, but certain claims require further verification.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the plaintiffs and their dissatisfaction with the lawsuit's dismissal. While it includes a statement from Cuomo's spokesperson, the overall tone leans towards the plaintiffs' viewpoint, potentially creating an imbalance. The inclusion of more perspectives from legal experts or health policy analysts could have provided a more rounded view of the situation. The article does mention the judge's rationale for dismissal, which adds some balance, but the emotional weight given to the plaintiffs' reactions may overshadow this.

Clarity

The language and structure of the article are generally clear, with a logical flow of information from the lawsuit dismissal to the reactions of the plaintiffs. The tone is somewhat emotional, reflecting the plaintiffs' perspectives, which may affect the perceived neutrality. The article could improve clarity by providing more background on the legal and political context, ensuring readers understand the broader implications of the story.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on quotes from the plaintiffs and a spokesperson for Cuomo, which are primary sources but may not provide a comprehensive view. The lack of direct quotes from the judge's decision or legal experts discussing the implications of the ruling is a notable omission. The story could benefit from referencing more authoritative sources or documents, such as court records or legal analyses, to enhance its credibility and depth.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the lawsuit and the directive issued by Cuomo's administration, but it lacks detailed explanation of the legal basis for the judge's decision. There is minimal disclosure about the methodology or sources used to verify claims about Cuomo's political status. Additionally, the article does not discuss potential conflicts of interest or biases of the quoted individuals, which could affect the story's impartiality.