A U.S. House panel investigating the COVID-19 pandemic is sending a criminal referral of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Department of Justice for allegedly making false statements during closed-door testimony in June 2024. The panel alleges that Cuomo knowingly provided false information about his involvement in the drafting and review of a New York State Department of Health report on nursing home infections and deaths. Documents contradicting his statements were presented to the committee, including handwritten notes and emails indicating his involvement in the report.
Cuomo’s spokesperson has dismissed the subcommittee’s actions as a “taxpayer-funded farce,” and shared a transcript of Cuomo’s testimony in which he claimed he could not recall reviewing the July 6 report. Cuomo’s attorney has requested access to the documents related to the report to allow Cuomo to refresh his memory. The spokesperson also claimed that the committee members may be engaged in abuse of power and collusion for financial gain, and has reportedly made a similar referral against them to the DOJ.
The Cuomo administration faced criticism for a policy that initially required nursing homes to readmit recovering COVID-19 patients to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. This policy came under scrutiny during a September 2024 hearing before the subcommittee, where Cuomo was accused of endangering nursing home residents. Cuomo defended his actions during the hearing, attributing any shortcomings to the federal government’s inadequate response to the pandemic. He also defended his decision to centralize the pandemic response in the governor’s office, despite criticism from an independent report commissioned by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022.
Cuomo’s reputation suffered a blow after it was revealed that his administration had not fully disclosed the number of deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities during the pandemic. While initially seen as a reassuring figure in the early months of the pandemic, Cuomo’s handling of the nursing home issue led to calls for his resignation. He eventually resigned from office in August 2021 amidst sexual harassment allegations, which he has denied. The controversy surrounding Cuomo’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to be a point of contention, with ongoing investigations and inquiries into his conduct.
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has accused Cuomo of making false statements during his testimony and has referred the matter to the Department of Justice for further investigation. Cuomo’s denial of involvement in the drafting and review of a key report on nursing home infections and deaths has been contradicted by documentary evidence presented to the committee. The ongoing scrutiny of Cuomo’s actions during the pandemic, including his decision-making and policies related to nursing homes, has continued to generate controversy and criticism in the aftermath of his resignation from office.
