KIYC: Federal watchdog says USDOJ investigation into NJ veterans’ homes was at least partially politically motivated
The report says some USDOJ officials leaked information to the media in hopes of swinging the election to Donald Trump.
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A blockbuster report from the United States Department of Justice finds the agency’s inquiry into COVID-19 deaths at state-run veterans’ homes in New Jersey was, at least in part, politically motivated. The report found that USDOJ officials were trying to boost then-President Donald Trump’s reelection chances.
There’s no disputing the severity of the deadly COVID outbreaks at New Jersey’s state-run veterans homes. In 2020, Kane In Your Corner exposed how poor disease control procedures sparked that outbreak. Kane In Your Corner found sick and non-infected patients were housed together and the staff was ordered not to wear protective gear around patients. More than 200 veterans’ home residents died.
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Given the severity of the outbreak, it was not unusual for the USDOJ to begin investigating. But a report from the agency’s Inspector General finds the probe quickly became politicized.
A few days before the 2020 election, the report says some USDOJ officials leaked information to the media in hopes of swinging the election to Trump. The report even cites a text message from a high-ranking official, who called the effort “our last play on them before (the) election.”
New Jersey ultimately paid nearly $70 million to the families of veterans’ home residents who died of COVID-19. The state also agreed to have a federal monitor oversee the facilities.
