0 an attempt to prevent the public from discovering information about a serious crime or mistake: --
I'm convinced there was an intentional coverup, that officials haven't told all they know about what happened.
The official reason for sealing the documents was to protect the identities of children, but this led to accusations of a coverup intended to protect the reputations of officials.
A consequent lawsuit to reopen the case claimed that the report's information about the cause was not secret and alleged a government coverup, but the case was not reopened.
It was determined that a substantial coverup had taken place.
Allegations were made of poor judgement evidence destruction, and coverup by news media executives and law enforcement officials.
But the coverup effort proved to be in vain.
A metaphorical fig leaf is something visible but innocuous, as against a coverup in which the existence of something may be entirely hidden.
Instead, he appeared regularly at city council meetings complaining of persecution, fraud and coverup by city officials.
The official obituary/coverup claimed he suffered a heart attack in the company of friends during a farewell supper celebrating his illustrious career.
