Nursing Home Controversy Leads to Political Endorsement in NYC

Brooklyn, NY — Two brothers, Peter and Daniel Arbeeny, have publicly endorsed mayoral candidate Brad Lander, blaming their father’s death on former Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s nursing home policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The endorsement took place outside the Cobble Hill Nursing Home, where their father, 89-year-old Norman Arbeeny, died after being readmitted from a rehabilitation facility. The Cuomo administration’s directive allowed COVID-positive patients to return to nursing homes without adequate testing or protective equipment, critics argue.

Peter Arbeeny said, “It is my honor to endorse Brad, because he answered our families’ call for help during the height of COVID in April of 2020 when the city shut down.” He described Lander as “a decent, honest and tough person” who fought for accountability amidst the pandemic.

During a mayoral debate last week, Lander invited Peter to speak, urging him to demand an apology from Cuomo for the nursing home policy, which was revoked only six weeks after its implementation. Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 following sexual misconduct allegations, is now seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor.

In response to the debate, Cuomo expressed sympathy over Norman’s death but insisted that the critique from Lander and the Arbeeny brothers was unfounded. He pointed out that legal documents found no COVID-positive patients were sent back to the specific nursing home where Norman was admitted.

Daniel Arbeeny also led a class-action lawsuit against Cuomo regarding the nursing home policy, which was dismissed earlier this year. Peter Arbeeny voiced his frustration at the debate, stating, “Him not willing to apologize as the leader of this state.”

Cuomo’s spokesperson accused Lander of exploiting the Arbeeny brothers’ story for his political gain. The spokesperson defended Cuomo’s actions by stating that the nursing home policy followed federal guidelines.

Lander responded with admiration for the Arbeeny brothers, noting their fight for accountability has been ongoing for five years. The endorsement adds a personal dimension to the contentious political landscape as Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic continues to be a source of controversy.