NEW YORK — A House subcommittee investigating the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is alleging that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made false statements to Congress regarding his role in editing a controversial report on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. The subcommittee plans to refer criminal charges to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The allegations center on Cuomo’s testimony to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic about his involvement with a July 2020 report, which faced criticism for underreporting nursing home fatalities. In a 107-page referral letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, the Republican chair of the panel, stated that Cuomo’s statements appear to be a conscious, calculated effort to insulate himself from accountability.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, responded by calling the committee’s actions a taxpayer-funded farce and accused it of misusing its investigative powers for political gain. He asserted that the panel had no legitimate basis for its actions and labeled the referral an unethical pre-election MAGA exercise.
In a counter move, Cuomo’s attorney filed a criminal referral to the Department of Justice, accusing the House panel of misusing government resources and overstepping its authority.
The timing of the House panel’s referral is particularly sensitive for Cuomo, who is reportedly considering a political comeback, including a potential run for mayor of New York City as incumbent Democrat Eric Adams faces federal corruption charges. Despite resigning in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women, polls indicate that Cuomo, who retains significant name recognition, could be competitive in a Democratic mayoral primary.
Cuomo’s pandemic response, initially praised for his leadership during the crisis, has faced significant scrutiny, particularly regarding nursing home policies. A March 2020 order from the New York State Department of Health required nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, raising concerns about the safety of residents. The administration later faced backlash after it was revealed that it significantly underreported deaths related to COVID-19 in nursing homes.
In June, during closed-door testimony, Cuomo denied having reviewed the July 2020 report, stating, “I did not,” and later claiming he did not recall reviewing or seeing it. Azzopardi argued that the former governor’s inability to recall is being mischaracterized by the committee.
The referral also includes testimonies from former Cuomo aides, who reportedly indicated that he had been involved in the report’s editing before its public release. One email sent days before the report’s release stated, Governor’s edits are attached for your review, further complicating Cuomo’s claims of ignorance regarding the report’s contents.
As the investigation continues, the implications for Cuomo’s political future remain uncertain, especially given the renewed focus on his administration’s handling of the pandemic.
