Cuomo responds to Democratic lawmaker who claims Governor said he would 'destroy' him: 'Mr. Kim is lying'

An incensed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo allegedly threatened to “destroy” Democratic State Assemblyman Ron Kim last week after he publicly criticized accused the governor’s office of withholding critical data on COVID-19 deaths at nursing homes.

Hours after Kim’s comment was published, the assemblyman received a phone call from Cuomo, who reportedly threatened to tarnish his reputation unless he walked back the claim in a new statement. But Rich Azzopardi, a senior advisor to Cuomo, said Kim is "lying" about the conversation. "Mr. Kim is lying about his conversation with Governor Cuomo Thursday night. I know because I was one of three other people in the room when the phone call occurred," Azzopardi said. "At no time did anyone threaten to 'destroy' anyone with their 'wrath' nor engage in a 'coverup.' That's beyond the pale and is unfortunately part of a years-long pattern of lies by Mr. Kim against this administration." "We did ask for Mr. Kim to do the honorable thing and put out a truthful statement after he told the Governor he was misquoted in a news article, which he said he tried to correct but the reporter refused," Azzopardi added. "Kim said he would correct the story and then broke his word. No surprise. Instead over the last six days he has baselessly accused this administration of pay to play and obstruction of justice."