In a dramatic development that marks a shift in political accountability, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now facing potential prosecution over statements made to Congress regarding the state’s handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The referral for criminal charges comes from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who has submitted the case to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Cuomo, a Democrat who led New York through the height of the pandemic, is accused of providing false testimony about the circumstances in the state’s long-term care facilities—where thousands of residents died. According to Republicans, these misrepresentations were not just misleading but criminal in nature, prompting a formal request for the Department of Justice to consider prosecution.
A press release from the Oversight Committee detailed the basis of the criminal referral. It noted that testimony and documents gathered by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic indicate Cuomo knowingly gave misleading statements about his administration’s involvement in the production of a controversial report issued by the New York State Department of Health.
“Evidence shows Mr. Cuomo repeatedly misled Congress by denying any role in reviewing or drafting the DOH report,” the statement read. “In reality, he edited and even wrote portions of a document that was positioned as independent and peer-reviewed. This report was instrumental in deflecting criticism of his administration’s policies during a crisis that claimed thousands of lives.”
The Committee laid out specific instances where Cuomo’s testimony contradicted the facts. During a transcribed interview in June, the former governor denied participating in the preparation of the DOH report, denied discussing its peer review process, and claimed he was unaware of any involvement by non-DOH personnel. All three assertions, according to the Committee, were proven false.
“These were not simple errors,” the Committee emphasized. “They were deliberate attempts to obscure the truth. Based on these findings, in October 2024 the Subcommittee issued a formal criminal referral urging the DOJ to take appropriate action.”
In a letter to AG Bondi, Comer stated, “The Select Subcommittee referred Mr. Cuomo for potential violations of 18 U.S.C. §1001, which pertains to knowingly making false statements to federal officials. The seriousness of these actions cannot be ignored, and we ask that you thoroughly examine the attached evidence.”
He went on to affirm the legitimacy of the investigation, citing the committee’s broad authority under House Rule X. “Our responsibility is clear—we are empowered to investigate any matter at any time. If your office has any questions or needs further information, we stand ready to assist.”
Chairman Comer didn’t mince words when addressing the accusations publicly. “Andrew Cuomo has a long history of dodging accountability, but this time, he’s been caught lying under oath. His actions during the investigation into New York’s COVID nursing home crisis are unacceptable.”
“Let’s be clear,” Comer continued. “This isn’t about political disagreements. It’s about a former public official intentionally deceiving Congress to shield himself from responsibility. That’s a federal crime, and there must be consequences.”
The Oversight Committee has committed to cooperating fully with any investigation the DOJ may launch and has emphasized the importance of ensuring that Cuomo is held legally accountable for his actions.
Image Credit: United States Department of Justice, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
