The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is finalizing a referral to the Department of Justice, requesting a potential investigation of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo over claims he misled Congress about his role in drafting a report on COVID-19 nursing home deaths. According to The New York Times, the Republican-led committee contends that Cuomo’s actions were a “calculated effort” to dodge accountability for thousands of nursing home fatalities.
The referral letter, signed by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), focuses on Cuomo’s testimony, during which he denied any involvement in shaping the state health department’s report. Yet, emails and records suggest that Cuomo reviewed and contributed to early drafts. The referral lacks the support of Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, making it a partisan move by the Republican members.
🚨The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is referring Former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for criminal prosecution.
Evidence suggests Andrew Cuomo knowingly and willfully made materially false statements about New York’s COVID-19 nursing home disaster and the… pic.twitter.com/kJrOQpXHLn
— Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic (@COVIDSelect) October 31, 2024
Cuomo’s attorney, Sarah A. Sulkowski, criticized the subcommittee’s actions, accusing them of pursuing a politically motivated investigation and alleging that the inquiry was influenced by Janice Dean, a vocal critic of Cuomo’s pandemic policies. Sulkowski labeled the referral a “misuse of government resources.”
Cuomo’s administration faced backlash in 2020 after issuing a directive that required nursing homes to readmit COVID-19-positive patients. Critics argue that this decision contributed to a rise in nursing home deaths, a claim confirmed by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ 2021 report, which found that over 4,000 residents died following the order.
The subcommittee also cited Cuomo’s 2020 congressional testimony, where he denied altering data to downplay COVID-19 nursing home deaths. Initial investigations by the Daily Caller News Foundation reported potential misclassifications by Cuomo’s administration, leading to further scrutiny of his pandemic response.
Evidence now shows what we’ve known all along: Governor Andrew Cuomo willfully lied to Congress about New York’s COVID nursing home disaster.
Referring him for criminal prosecution is the critical next step to finally holding him accountable.
If the DOJ doesn’t immediately… https://t.co/7KCWuty5VE
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 31, 2024
As speculation swirls around Cuomo’s possible return to politics, including a potential bid for New York City mayor, the renewed focus on his handling of nursing home policies could affect his political ambitions. Current Mayor Eric Adams faces federal bribery charges, fueling speculation that Cuomo might attempt a comeback despite the ongoing controversy.
