The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has opened a probe against New York ex-governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly lying over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The investigation by the US attorney’s office in Washington follows a referral from Representative James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the person told news agency AP.
The inquiry, first reported by The New York Times on Tuesday, is over statements Cuomo made to lawmakers investigating his management of the pandemic when the virus was spreading through nursing homes in New York.
The Republicans have zeroed in on the Cuomo administration's controversial March 2020 directive which initially barred nursing homes from refusing to accept patients just because they had had Covid-19. More than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients were released from hospitals into nursing homes under the directive, which was revoked amid speculation it had accelerated outbreaks.
Last month, Comer referred Cuomo to the Justice Department for Cuomo's possible criminal prosecution.
The former governor adamantly defended himself during the hearing. He alleged US President Donald Trump's administration - the pandemic coincided with the final months of Trump's first term - failed to provide enough testing and personal protective equipment in the early days of Covid-19.
“These are all diversions to blame New York and other states for the culpability of the federal response, which was malpractice,” he had said.
Team Cuomo alleges 'leak'
Meanwhile, the probe against Cuomo at a time when the 67-year-old Democrat is running for New York City mayor. As per his spokesperson, the ex-governor was "never informed" of the investigation.
Also Read: Who is Andrew Cuomo? Former New York governor enters crowded NYC mayor’s race
“So why would someone leak it now? The answer is obvious: This is lawfare and election interference plain and simple — something President Trump and his top Department of Justice officials say they are against,” spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said in an email.
"The (ex-) governor testified truthfully to the best of his recollection about events from four years earlier, and he offered to address any follow-up questions from the Subcommittee — but from the beginning this was all transparently political," Azzopardi added.
He was the governor of the New York state from January 2021 until his August 2021 resignation over sexual harassment allegations, which he has repeatedly denied.
Also Read: Andrew Cuomo ex-aide details groping allegations
The New York City mayoral election will be held on November 4.
The investigation by the US attorney’s office in Washington follows a referral from Representative James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the person told news agency AP.
The inquiry, first reported by The New York Times on Tuesday, is over statements Cuomo made to lawmakers investigating his management of the pandemic when the virus was spreading through nursing homes in New York.
The Republicans have zeroed in on the Cuomo administration's controversial March 2020 directive which initially barred nursing homes from refusing to accept patients just because they had had Covid-19. More than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients were released from hospitals into nursing homes under the directive, which was revoked amid speculation it had accelerated outbreaks.
Last month, Comer referred Cuomo to the Justice Department for Cuomo's possible criminal prosecution.
The former governor adamantly defended himself during the hearing. He alleged US President Donald Trump's administration - the pandemic coincided with the final months of Trump's first term - failed to provide enough testing and personal protective equipment in the early days of Covid-19.
“These are all diversions to blame New York and other states for the culpability of the federal response, which was malpractice,” he had said.
Team Cuomo alleges 'leak'
Meanwhile, the probe against Cuomo at a time when the 67-year-old Democrat is running for New York City mayor. As per his spokesperson, the ex-governor was "never informed" of the investigation.
Also Read: Who is Andrew Cuomo? Former New York governor enters crowded NYC mayor’s race
“So why would someone leak it now? The answer is obvious: This is lawfare and election interference plain and simple — something President Trump and his top Department of Justice officials say they are against,” spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said in an email.
"The (ex-) governor testified truthfully to the best of his recollection about events from four years earlier, and he offered to address any follow-up questions from the Subcommittee — but from the beginning this was all transparently political," Azzopardi added.
He was the governor of the New York state from January 2021 until his August 2021 resignation over sexual harassment allegations, which he has repeatedly denied.
Also Read: Andrew Cuomo ex-aide details groping allegations
The New York City mayoral election will be held on November 4.
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