CITIZENS NEWS

DOJ investigates Andrew Cuomo for allegedly lying to Congress about COVID-19 nursing home deaths

By isabelle // 2025-05-22

• The DOJ has launched a criminal investigation into former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly lying to Congress about his administration’s deadly nursing home COVID-19 policies.
• Cuomo’s 2020 order forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, leading to thousands of deaths, with his administration later accused of underreporting fatalities by 50%.
• House Republicans referred Cuomo for prosecution, claiming he made false statements under oath about his role in the nursing home scandal.
• Cuomo dismissed the probe as "lawfare" while campaigning for NYC mayor, but critics say his shifting excuses reveal a pattern of evasion.
• Legal experts warn prosecuting Cuomo will be difficult, but the investigation threatens his political comeback and highlights his pandemic failures.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly lying to Congress about his administration’s deadly COVID-19 nursing home policies. The probe, initiated by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., follows accusations that Cuomo misled lawmakers about his role in a March 2020 directive that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients—a decision linked to thousands of deaths. Cuomo, who is now running for New York City mayor, dismissed the investigation as "lawfare and election interference" through a spokesperson, but House Republicans insist he must be held accountable for what they call a "calculated cover-up."

A deadly directive and a federal probe

At the height of the pandemic, Cuomo’s administration issued an order requiring nursing homes to admit patients discharged from hospitals, even if they were still infected with COVID-19. The policy, intended to free up hospital beds, instead fueled outbreaks in vulnerable facilities. A 2022 report by the New York state comptroller later revealed that the Cuomo administration underreported nursing home deaths by as much as 50%, obscuring the true toll of his disastrous policy. House Republicans, led by Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY), have long accused Cuomo of lying under oath during congressional testimony about his involvement in the nursing home scandal. In October 2024, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic referred Cuomo to the DOJ for criminal prosecution, alleging he made "multiple criminally false statements" to Congress. Now, the DOJ is acting on that referral, signaling that Cuomo could face serious legal consequences.

Cuomo’s deflection and attempted political comeback

Cuomo’s spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, stating, “This is lawfare and election interference plain and simple.” He insisted that Cuomo testified "truthfully to the best of his recollection" about events from years earlier. But critics argue that Cuomo’s shifting explanations—including blaming an "unknown staffer" for the lethal nursing home order—reveal a pattern of evasion. The timing is particularly damaging for Cuomo, who is campaigning in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. His main rival, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, recently had federal corruption charges against him dismissed in a move that some see as politically convenient. Cuomo, who was once a rising Democratic star, resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, but he now seeks redemption in the mayoral race. The DOJ probe, however, threatens to derail his comeback.

A history of corruption and cover-ups

Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic was marred by secrecy and mismanagement. His administration delayed releasing accurate nursing home death data, and internal reports suggest officials deliberately obscured the numbers to avoid scrutiny. House Republicans argue that Cuomo’s false statements to Congress were part of a broader effort to evade accountability. “This wasn’t a slip-up—it was a calculated cover-up by a man seeking to shield himself from responsibility for the devastating loss of life in New York’s nursing homes,” Comer said in a statement. “Lying to Congress is a federal crime. Mr. Cuomo must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The DOJ’s decision to pursue the case underscores the gravity of the allegations. If convicted, Cuomo could face fines or even prison time, although legal experts note that prosecuting high-profile politicians is notoriously difficult. Still, the investigation ensures that his disastrous pandemic record will remain a central issue in his mayoral campaign. The DOJ’s investigation into Andrew Cuomo raises critical questions about accountability for leaders who mishandled the pandemic. Thousands of New Yorkers died due to his administration’s reckless policies, and if the allegations are proven, Cuomo’s lies to Congress could finally catch up with him. His defenders might be trying to dismiss the probe as a partisan attack, but the facts suggest otherwise. Whether justice prevails or political maneuvering wins out, Cuomo’s legacy is forever damaged by the lives lost under his watch. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com Reuters.com FoxNews.com BBC.com

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