Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now facing a criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. This comes as he is a leading candidate in the upcoming New York City mayoral race. The investigation began about a month ago and is focused on Cuomo’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically his directive that required nursing homes to admit patients regardless of their COVID-19 status.
Reports indicate that the Justice Department is looking into accusations that Cuomo may have lied to Congress regarding his pandemic decisions. A spokesperson for the department has not commented on the investigation, adhering to their policy of not discussing ongoing cases.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, has claimed that the investigation is politically motivated. He argued that Cuomo had always been truthful during his testimony and suggested that the timing of the investigation is an attempt to undermine his campaign. Azzopardi stated, “This is lawfare and election interference plain and simple.”
The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., which was previously headed by Ed Martin and is now under Jeanine Pirro. This inquiry follows a hearing where House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer mentioned having seen significant evidence that Cuomo was involved in a 2020 audit that allegedly underreported COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes by 46%. This led to a referral to the Justice Department for what were described as “criminally false statements.”
This news arrives shortly after the Justice Department dropped a case against current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, raising questions about political motivations behind such investigations. As Cuomo prepares for the mayoral election, the investigation adds another layer of complexity to his already controversial political career.