The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, casting a shadow over his high-profile campaign for New York City mayor just weeks before the June 24 Democratic primary.
At the center of the probe are Cuomo’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic—specifically, whether he misled Congress about his administration’s role in sending COVID-positive patients into nursing homes, a policy critics say led to thousands of preventable deaths.
Focus of the Investigation
Federal prosecutors are examining Cuomo’s sworn testimony to Congress, which claimed he had no direct involvement in crafting a controversial July 2020 state report that undercounted nursing home fatalities. However, internal emails and staff testimony reportedly suggest that Cuomo not only reviewed the report but influenced its content—raising the possibility that he provided false information under oath.
This follows a criminal referral submitted by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who accused Cuomo of “intentionally misleading lawmakers” about his administration’s handling of nursing home data during the pandemic.
Cuomo Fires Back
Cuomo has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation a politically motivated attack meant to derail his mayoral bid. “This is lawfare,” a spokesperson said, accusing federal prosecutors of weaponizing the justice system to interfere with an election. Cuomo’s team maintains that he has not been contacted directly by investigators but would cooperate if required.
Despite the probe, Cuomo remains a strong contender in the mayoral race. He’s running in the Democratic primary while also securing a spot on an independent ballot line—an indication of his broad appeal and calculated political comeback.
Oversight and Political Implications
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., now under interim leadership by Jeanine Pirro, a known critic of Cuomo. The timing of the investigation—just weeks before voters head to the polls—has sparked accusations of selective enforcement, especially since the DOJ recently dropped corruption charges against current Mayor Eric Adams.
Supporters of Cuomo argue the probe reeks of double standards and election interference, while others see it as long-overdue accountability for one of the pandemic’s most controversial policy decisions.
What’s at Stake
This investigation has the potential to reshape the New York City mayoral race—and Cuomo’s political future. It revives scrutiny of his pandemic leadership and raises fresh questions about the politicization of federal law enforcement in high-stakes elections.
Cuomo, once considered politically finished, now finds himself at the center of a storm—fighting both for the city’s top office and to clear his name. The outcome could redefine the race and reignite debate over how far federal agencies should go when candidates are on the ballot.
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