ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Despite Governor Cuomo’s announcement that he will resign, relatives of loved ones who passed away in nursing homes during the pandemic are still seeking justice and accountability.

What You Need To Know

  • Despite Gov. Cuomo’s resignation, nursing home families still want answers
  • Families are calling for an investigation into the nursing home deaths from isolation, neglect and failure to thrive
  • Assembly Judiciary Committee meets Monday and will take on the issue
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“I felt a sense of relief for myself and so many others because this is something that we’ve wanted for so long," said Gelsey Randazzo of Irondequoit. She says her family is forever changed after her beloved grandmother passed away at a skilled nursing facility.

Gelsey says Rose Violet Randazzo died from isolation and failure to thrive due to Governor Cuomo’s COVID-19 mandates.

“He took 15,000 lives with his COVID mandate and I think it’s so important to remember that that is not even the accurate number when you count in the deaths from isolation and failure to thrive and neglect,” said Randazzo. “So, just because Cuomo is resigning and because he is going to be out of office does not mean that our fight is over. It does not mean that women’s’ fight is over for achieving justice for themselves.”

"We’ve got to be able to make this right, and I think that's what our committee can do," said New York State Assembly Member Marjorie Byrnes, who serves on the Assembly Judiciary Committee. “The minority members of the Judiciary Committee sent out a letter. We wanted to explain and be very adamant that we wanted this impeachment investigation to continue.”

Families like the Randazzos support moving forward with the investigation.

“We want justice for our loved ones and we want a full investigation into the deaths that are from isolation, neglect and failure to thrive," said Randazzo.

“We thought it was imperative to get to the bottom of what did happen, if the governor was responsible, to make sure that he was held accountable,” said Byrnes. “If not, then so be it. But at least the people who lost their loved ones would have some level of closure. They would know what happened and why it happened. And right now, all they're left with is eating their hearts out, wondering what went on.”

“It’s something that we will never get over as a family," said Randazzo.

Families could learn more about the next steps as early as Monday when the Assembly Judiciary Committee meets and takes on this issue.