Ciattarelli Calls on the NJ State Legislature to Appoint an Independent, 9/11-Style Commission to Investigate Nursing Home Deaths

Says failure of Attorney General Grewal and Legislative Democrats to hold Governor Murphy accountable is unconscionable

February 1, 2021, Somerville – Successful small businessman, MBA/CPA, former Assemblyman, and presumptive Republican nominee for Governor, Jack Ciattarelli, today called on the State Legislature to appoint an independent, 9/11-style commission to investigate the thousands of deaths related to Governor Murphy’s directive requiring nursing homes and long-term care centers to accept residents who were COVID-19 positive.

“That 8,000 of our state’s seniors and veterans perished in isolation and secrecy – many with their families not finding out till days later – was tragic.  Now those families and all New Jerseyans need to know whether it was a crime,” said Ciattarelli.  “That is why today I am calling on legislative leaders in Trenton to form an independent, 9/11-style commission, with full subpoena power, to investigate this matter and provide complete transparency about what happened, why it happened, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”

Ciattarelli said he shares the frustration of Senator Kristin Corrado (R-Passaic) and other Republicans whose calls for the formation of a bipartisan legislative committee have been repeatedly ignored.

“Bridgegate was a disgrace and deserved investigation, but nobody died because of it,” said Ciattarelli. “That Trenton Democrats were quick to issue subpoena powers to investigate that, but not this, reeks of partisan politics and cover up.”

Ciattarelli added that, in light of the damning report by Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, revealing that Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Administration has underreported nursing homes deaths in New York by 50%, New Jersey Attorney General Grewal owes the public answers for his inaction.

“The heroic actions of New York’s Attorney General to expose the lies of a Governor in her own party says something very powerful,” said Ciattarelli. “It’s time for Attorney General Grewal to do his job and take action. If this nursing home scandal isn’t worth an investigation, what is?”