Mayor Bill de Blasio called Monday for an investigation into phone calls that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s vaccine czar made to county executives across the state — describing them as “the definition of corruption.”
“If vaccine supply is being given out for political reasons, that, in many ways, is the single worst thing we’ve heard in all of these scandals — and they’re all horrible,” de Blasio said.
“Because it means that some people may not get the help they need — they may not live — as a result.”
Former top Cuomo aide Larry Schwartz, who is overseeing the distribution of coronavirus vaccines, was accused Sunday of phoning officials to gauge their support for Cuomo amid sexual harassment allegations and the cover-up of nursing home deaths from COVID-19.
During his daily briefing, de Blasio said Monday that “we’ve got to get to the bottom of this quickly.”
Bill de Blasio claims that phone calls Larry Schwartz made amid Cuomo’s scandals are “the definition of corruption.” KEVIN HAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images“What we’ve heard about the governor and his team trying to link vaccine supply to political support — that is the definition of corruption,” de Blasio said by video from City Hall.
“It is disgusting, it is dangerous, there are lives on the line and it cannot be tolerated.”
Larry Schwartz (left) oversees the distribution of coronavirus vaccines in Andrew Cuomo’s administration. AP Photo/Mike GrollDe Blasio’s “corruption” allegation came a day after an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” during which he suggested that Cuomo covered up nursing home deaths in exchange for campaign cash from the health care industry.
“This was a thoroughly corrupt situation and he just needs to resign,” Hizzoner said.
In a prepared statement, Cuomo’s acting counsel, Beth Garvey, said that “Larry’s conversations did not bring up vaccine distribution — he would never link political support to public health decisions.”
“Distorting Larry’s role or intentions for headlines maligns a decades long public servant who has done nothing but volunteer around the clock since March to help New York get through the COVID pandemic,” Garvey added.
“Any suggestion that Larry acted in any way unethically or in any way other than in the best interest of the New Yorkers that he selflessly served is patently false.”
Larry Schwartz was accused Sunday of phoning officials to gauge their support for Cuomo amid his string of scandals. John Lamparski/NurPhoto via Getty Images





