The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew M. Cuomo, a leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race, following Republican allegations that he misled Congress about decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as governor of New York.
The probe, initiated roughly a month ago by then–U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, is revisiting Cuomo’s controversial directive in March 2020 that required nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals.
The investigation was spurred by a referral from House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, who contends Cuomo lied under oath when he claimed no involvement in editing a state Health Department report on nursing home deaths. In his testimony, Cuomo denied drafting or revising the document but acknowledged he could not recall the details due to the passage of time. Although the initial referral was made last year, it was renewed earlier this year by Comer.
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal and facing potential impeachment. This new inquiry adds to a history of federal scrutiny surrounding his pandemic policies. During President Trump’s first term, the Justice Department also launched an investigation into nursing home deaths in several Democrat-led states, including New York.
