The Justice Department has initiated an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding accusations that he gave misleading testimony to Congress about his involvement in reporting COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The inquiry, initially reported by The New York Times, emerged as Cuomo actively campaigned to become mayor of New York City.
At issue is Cuomo’s June 2024 testimony before a House subcommittee examining COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The former governor stated under oath that he was not involved in drafting or editing a controversial 2020 state report that critics argue understated nursing home fatalities. However, a House panel investigating the pandemic issued a criminal referral last year, alleging Cuomo's involvement violated laws against making false statements to Congress.
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, denied knowledge of any DOJ inquiry, emphasizing Cuomo has received no subpoenas nor had contact with investigators. "We have never been informed of any such matter, so why would someone leak it now?" Azzopardi told CBS News, labeling the investigation "lawfare and election interference plain and simple."
This development emerges amid heightened scrutiny of the Trump administration’s Justice Department, accused of politicizing investigations involving prominent Democrats. Earlier, federal prosecutors controversially dropped bribery and campaign finance charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Cuomo’s primary opponent in the mayoral race, sparking resignations within the Manhattan federal prosecutor’s office. Critics alleged a potential quid pro quo with the Trump administration, though both Adams and Trump officials deny these claims.
Additionally, recent federal charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) for alleged assault during a protest at a Newark ICE facility, along with a criminal referral against New York Attorney General Letitia James, have further intensified debates about selective prosecution and alleged political motivations in DOJ actions.
Republican Congressman James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, actively encouraged the DOJ’s scrutiny of Cuomo, accusing him of being "caught red-handed lying to Congress." Cuomo maintains his testimony was truthful "to the best of his recollection," arguing the matter is transparently driven by political rivalry.
The Justice Department has thus far declined to comment officially on the ongoing investigation.
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