A Michigan prosecutor has suggested that Governor Gretchen Whitmer could face criminal charges in connection with the treatment of deaths in nursing homes in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, as the state attorney general launched an investigation into the deaths.
The news comes as Republicans in the Michigan legislature say they will hold hearings on a $ 155,000 confidential separation agreement made to former Health Department director Robert Gordon amid allegations that it could be a “full payment.”
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said he could not obtain information about deaths from nursing homes and long-term care institutions because of strict laws that protect information about patients’ health care.
“If we find that the position was intentionally neglected, if we find out that a person’s life was recklessly endangered by bringing him, then we will continue with the accusations against the governor. Of course, I would. No one is above the law in this state, “Lucido told ABC 7 WXYZ on Monday.
Whitmer’s questions about nursing home deaths are similar to the scandal surrounding New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who even before his growing sexual harassment scandal prompted calls to drop or be charged. .
The attacked governor is also being persecuted by the accusations of five women for sexually harassing them by touching or kissing them inappropriately and making inappropriate comments.
Whitmer, in an interview with CNN on Sunday, said she was supporting an independent investigation into her fellow Democratic governor.
“I think the accusations here are very serious and must be taken seriously. And I believe that an impartial, thorough, independent investigation is deserved and appropriate, “she said in the” State of the Union “.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will examine state policies for coronavirus nursing homes, according to ClickonDetroit.com.
Whitmer’s office threw Lucido in a statement to WXYZ, calling his comments “shameful political attacks that are based neither in fact nor in reality.”
The statement also said that Lucido’s Republican colleagues confirmed that “they did not see any evidence or testimony that an old people’s home was forced to take someone against their will.”
Her office said the state had “prioritized testing” of nursing home staff and residents “to save lives.”
“At the beginning of the pandemic, the state acted quickly to create a network of regional hubs with adequate isolation units and PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a unit. In addition, we provided 100% of nursing home residents with priority access to the vaccine. Both the former head of AARP and an independent UM study praised our work to save lives in nursing homes, ”the statement said.
Michigan House Oversight President Steve Johnson, a Republican, said he wants answers from Whitmer about nursing home deaths and payment to the former health director.
“We invited the department to come and testify before our oversight committee. They refused to do them. We asked them to share their data on deaths in nursing homes. Refuse that. And now we see that the governor paid former director of the health department Robert Gordon 155,000 dollars to stay calm, which begs the question: what is he trying to hide, “he told Fox News.
He said Michigan was among the states that “forced COVID patients” into nursing homes, “just like what you saw in New York, Governor Cuomo.”
“That’s what happened here and they recorded the number in New York and in nursing home deaths, and that’s the question here, I’m hiding the numbers,” Johnson said.
Whitmer denied that Gordon, who resigned in January, had been paid to remain quiet.
“I am really struggling with this characterization. It’s the nature of a separation agreement, when someone in a leadership position leaves … that there are terms and you can’t share every mandate with them. That’s just what it is, “Whitmer told reporters at a news conference earlier this month, the Detroit Free Press reported.
But he did not address why Gordon resigned or why taxpayers’ money was used for a separation deal that remains confidential.
Johnson said he has the same questions.
“This is not an ordinary thing, not something I have seen here in the state government. If it’s so common, why weren’t they open to the public about it? “, He said.
Whitmer’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on nursing homes and separation payments.