DOJ opens criminal investigation into Cuomo over COVID testimony to Congress
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly providing false information to Congress regarding his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic while he was governor. This investigation was confirmed by a source familiar with the probe, as reported by Fox News.
According to The New York Times, the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington initiated the inquiry into Cuomo approximately a month ago. This move came after senior officials in the DOJ pushed for the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The DOJ has refrained from providing any comments regarding this matter.
The timing of these events is particularly noteworthy, as the Trump administration recently dropped a criminal case against Mayor Adams while simultaneously opening a new case against his main political rival. Cuomo is currently vying for the Democratic nomination to become the next mayor of New York City, while Adams is running for re-election as an independent candidate.
In response to these developments, Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi asserted that they had not been informed of any such investigation. Azzopardi labeled the situation as “lawfare” and “election interference,” insinuating political motivations behind the probe.
Cuomo faced intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers last year over his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, particularly regarding nursing home deaths. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer, accused Cuomo of deliberately misleading Congress and recommended criminal charges against him.
Former Rep. Brad Wenstrup, who led the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, alleged that Cuomo made “multiple criminally false statements” during his testimony before Congress. These statements pertained to Cuomo’s directive that required nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, a decision that was later rescinded amid concerns about its impact on infection rates.
The investigation into Cuomo’s actions gained momentum when Comer referred the case to the Biden Justice Department for potential prosecution. However, no action was taken by the administration, prompting Comer to call for a review of the referral and demanded that Cuomo be held accountable for his actions.
Cuomo has defended his directive, citing CDC and CMS guidelines as justification for his decision. Nevertheless, a report released by the New York state comptroller revealed discrepancies in the reporting of nursing home deaths during the pandemic, indicating a possible underreporting of fatalities.
In light of these revelations, Comer reiterated his stance that lying to Congress is a federal offense and called for Cuomo to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The House Oversight Committee has pledged to cooperate with the DOJ’s investigation to ensure that Cuomo is held responsible for his alleged misconduct.
Fox News Digital contributors Michael Dorgan and Danielle Wallace assisted in compiling this report. For story tips and suggestions, please contact Greg.Wehner@Fox.com or reach out on Twitter @GregWehner.
