Federal prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, who is currently leading the Democratic field in the New York City mayoral race.
The inquiry, as reported by The New York Times, focuses on whether Cuomo misled Congress regarding his administration's handling of nursing home deaths during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Straight Arrow News, the U.S. attorney's office in Washington commenced the investigation following a referral from House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.).
Comer accused Cuomo of making false statements during a congressional hearing about a state report that allegedly undercounted coronavirus-related deaths in long-term care facilities by as much as 50%, as noted by the New York Attorney General.
The investigation was prompted by allegations that Cuomo's administration downplayed nursing home fatality figures. In March 2020, a directive was issued requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients discharged from hospitals.
Cuomo has defended the policy, asserting it adhered to federal guidance and mirrored actions taken by other states. Critics argue that this directive exacerbated deadly outbreaks among vulnerable populations. Voices for Seniors, an advocacy group, has welcomed the investigation, deeming it overdue and essential for accountability.
The timing of this investigation is significant, as it follows the Trump administration's decision to drop a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, Cuomo's main rival in the upcoming mayoral primary.
The administration contended that continuing the case would hinder Adams' ability to support federal immigration enforcement. The dismissal of Adams' case, juxtaposed with the pursuit of Cuomo's, has sparked questions about potential political interference at the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. Cuomo's team has labeled the investigation as politically motivated, describing it as "lawfare" and "election interference."
Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing, with his spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, stating that the former governor testified truthfully and offered to answer follow-up questions. "From the beginning, this was all transparently political," Azzopardi remarked.
Cuomo has consistently criticized Trump, labeling him "a bully," and his supporters view the investigation as part of a broader pattern of targeting political adversaries. Federal officials have neither confirmed nor denied the existence of the probe.
This investigation is not the first scrutiny Cuomo has faced regarding his handling of nursing homes. During Trump's presidency, the Justice Department launched a separate probe into COVID-era nursing home deaths in New York and other Democratic-led states.
An inspector general later revealed that department officials leaked details of that investigation to the press shortly before the 2020 election, breaching agency policy. Cuomo stepped down as governor in 2021 amid unrelated allegations of sexual misconduct.
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