Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, focusing on allegations that he provided false testimony to Congress regarding nursing home deaths in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to The New York Times, the probe was initiated approximately a month ago by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., then headed by Ed Martin, who has since been replaced by Jeanine Pirro.
The investigation centers around claims that Cuomo, now a frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, misled Congress during a June 11, 2024, appearance before the House COVID subcommittee. The Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to file criminal charges, citing “criminally false statements.”
Alleged Underreporting and Audit Manipulation
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) accused Cuomo, 67, of overseeing a July 6, 2020 audit that undercounted COVID-19-related deaths in nursing homes by 46%. During his testimony, Cuomo denied involvement in the drafting, review, or discussion of the state’s nursing home report, which was ultimately published by the New York State Department of Health.
Although Comer had previously sought Cuomo’s prosecution in 2023, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland declined to act. Now, with new leadership at the DOJ, the case has gained renewed momentum.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, told The Post they had received no formal notice of an investigation and denounced the probe as politically motivated:
“We have never been informed of any such matter. So why would someone leak it now? The answer is obvious: this is lawfare and election interference — something President Trump and his top DOJ officials say they oppose.”
“Governor Cuomo testified truthfully to the best of his recollection about events from four years ago,” Azzopardi added. “From the beginning, this was all transparently political.”
Families of Victims Applaud the Probe
Advocacy groups such as Voices for Seniors praised the DOJ’s action, calling it overdue.
“The wheels of justice are finally beginning to turn,” the group stated on X. “Grieving families have waited long enough.”
Vivian Zayas, co-founder of the group and daughter of Ana Martinez, who died of COVID in a West Islip nursing home, said the families had sent multiple letters to Attorney General Bondi requesting a criminal investigation.
“We’re just elated this investigation is moving forward. It’s a long overdue victory,” she said.
Daniel Arbeeny, co-founder of the We Care Memorial Wall, whose father died of COVID, also welcomed the news:
“Cuomo should be held accountable. It’s that simple. He forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients. Thousands died needlessly.”
Evidence Contradicting Cuomo's Testimony Emerges
The March 25, 2020 directive, which mandated that nursing homes admit COVID-positive patients without required testing, remained in effect until May 10. By that time, thousands of infected patients had entered eldercare facilities.
While Cuomo told Congress he didn’t recall seeing the July 2020 report, emails and handwritten notes suggest otherwise. Evidence shows that Cuomo’s aides discussed his involvement, and that he personally made edits — including changing references to “deaths” and adjusting data points.
One handwritten comment read:
“New York is 6,600?” — despite the real death toll exceeding 9,000 when hospital data is included. The final report cited just 6,432 fatalities.
The DOJ declined to comment on the investigation.
Pirro's Involvement Raises Eyebrows
The case is now being handled by Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and political rival of Cuomo, who ran against him in 2006 for New York Attorney General. Pirro has previously called for criminal charges against Cuomo, including manslaughter and negligent homicide, citing his COVID policies.
“You cannot escape the consequences of your intentional and reckless acts,” Pirro said in a 2021 broadcast. “You cannot escape your intentional coverup.”
Political Implications Amid Mayoral Run
The timing of the investigation coincides with Cuomo’s new campaign ad, launched just one day prior, which highlights his leadership during the pandemic:
“When New Yorkers were desperate for leadership — Andrew Cuomo delivered,” the ad declares.
In an interview earlier Tuesday on the podcast Honestly with Bari Weiss, Cuomo stood by his pandemic decisions:
“Everything New York State did followed federal guidance,” he asserted, labeling the undercounting claims as “so untrue” and politically motivated.
“Only 12 states did better than New York in preventing deaths,” he claimed, dismissing the criticism as a result of “conservative rhetoric” amplified by grieving families.
Opponents and Candidates React
Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and Cuomo’s closest competitor in the mayoral race, criticized both Cuomo and former President Trump:
“Andrew Cuomo’s career has been defined by corruption and deceit... But Donald Trump cannot be trusted to pursue justice.”
Other candidates also weighed in.
City Comptroller Brad Lander posted on X:
“New Yorkers can’t afford four more years of a compromised Mayor kissing Trump’s ass.”
Brooklyn Sen. Zellnor Myrie added:
“We cannot trade one compromised mayor for another.”
The DOJ has not issued an official statement in response to media inquiries.
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