verb

present or deal with (something) in a vague or inadequate way, especially so as to conceal the truth or mislead.

the authorities have fudged the issue

evade,dodge,skirt,avoid,duck,shift ground about,hedge,prevaricate,vacillate,be non-committal,shuffle,parry questions,stall,shilly-shally,beat about the bush,mince (one’s) words,hum and haw,cop out,sit on the fence,flannel,waffle,tergiversate