DOJ Launches Investigation into Andrew Cuomo

The Justice Department has begun an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, according to recent reports.

Sources familiar with the matter shared with The New York Times that the investigation started about a month ago. It is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, following a referral by James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

This inquiry seems to revisit a previous complaint filed back in October by former Rep. Brad Wenstrup, which, for some reason, went unaddressed by Merrick Garland, the former Attorney General. Allegations have surfaced that Cuomo misled Congress about his actions related to COVID-19 nursing home tragedies.

“Andrew Cuomo has a track record of corruption and dishonesty, and now he’s been caught lying to Congress during inquiries related to COVID-19 nursing home deaths in New York,” Comer stated.

He further emphasized, “This was not an accident. It was a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility for the tragic loss of life in these facilities. Let’s be clear: lying to Congress is a serious offense.”

Comer insisted on Tuesday that “Cuomo must face charges.”

Following the announcement of the investigation, Cuomo’s campaign and various liberal media outlets hinted that this could be an instance of election interference by Trump’s administration. Cuomo is running for mayor of New York City and may face off against current Mayor Eric Adams, who had been involved in legal dismissals initiated earlier this year.

“No one informed us of such an issue, so why now? It seems clear this is interference with the legal process and elections,” someone said in statements shared by multiple outlets.

They argued that Cuomo had testified honestly based on his recollections of events from years prior and showed a willingness to address any follow-up questions, asserting that the situation was overtly political from the outset.

Former key aide Melissa Delosa tweeted that “Trump wants a compliant mayor… Andrew Cuomo is now in a precarious position… subject to legal scrutiny… and the Democratic base is stirred.”

The framing of the investigation has been seized upon by media outlets.

Trump is known for calling for criminal investigations against his political adversaries based on claims that legal experts often describe as weak. Many of his DOJ appointees appear willing to deploy investigative resources to meet his desires.

In response to inquiries, Mayor Adams’ spokesperson referred to Adams’ earlier comments expressing disappointment about how the pandemic was managed, adding that “the investigation must proceed as it should.”

“I’m not looking to treat him the way others have treated me,” Adams declared. “We’re ensuring the investigation unfolds properly.”

According to The Times, both a DOJ and an FBI spokesperson declined to comment, citing a policy against confirming or denying ongoing investigations.

Some have branded the inquiry as a political maneuver, while Comer and Wenstrup are presenting what seems like troubling evidence of Cuomo’s misleading statements, stemming from a closed-door interview in mid-June 2024 with investigators.

Back in March 2020, the Cuomo administration issued directives regarding nursing home admissions, which critics argue led to a significant number of COVID-positive patients being placed in such facilities — contributing to increased death rates, according to a February 2021 study.

Cuomo attempted to shift the narrative away from these consequences, as investigators pointed out that the New York State Department of Health had claimed that he had “personally edited and drafted” portions of a report that criticized the surge in nursing home fatalities, rather than his own orders.

Cuomo also reportedly stated he had no knowledge of the March 25, 2020 order, implying that elderly patients were not forced to be admitted if they tested positive for COVID-19.

In recounting what Cuomo said during a 2024 interview, Wenstrup indicated that Cuomo provided misleading information to Congress in what seemed to be a calculated effort to evade accountability.

“Change is beginning to emerge in the wheels of justice,” someone remarked.

Advocacy groups, particularly those founded by families of victims who died in nursing homes during the pandemic, have expressed hope that Cuomo might face legal accountability for his actions surrounding the increase in nursing home deaths.

One group pointed out that after years of silence and political bias, the wheels of justice have finally begun to turn.

“This investigation is not just necessary; it’s overdue. The evidence paints a grim picture of leaders more focused on their image than on integrity. The grieving families deserve answers. This isn’t about politics; it’s about accountability and justice for countless elderly victims,” they added.