Justice Department Launches Investigation into Andrew Cuomo

Strategic Insights -

Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor and current frontrunner in the New York City mayoral race, is facing a criminal investigation into his handling of the state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The investigation, launched by the US attorney's office in Washington, follows a criminal referral made by James Comer, a Republican representative of Kentucky and chair of the House committee on oversight and government reform. Cuomo has been accused of mishandling the state's response to the pandemic and making false statements to Congress, allegations that he denies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US attorney's office in Washington has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew Cuomo's handling of the state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • The investigation follows a criminal referral made by James Comer, a Republican representative of Kentucky and chair of the House committee on oversight and government reform.
  • Cuomo has been accused of making false statements to Congress about the state's response to the pandemic, which he denies.
  • A Cuomo spokesperson has accused Republicans of engaging in "lawfare" and "election interference" in the lead-up to the mayoral election.
  • Cuomo is facing allegations that his administration underreported Covid-19-related deaths in nursing homes by as much as half.
  • The investigation is led by Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and prosecutor, who was appointed by Trump after Ed Martin's nomination to permanently run the office was withdrawn.
  • This is not Cuomo's first scandal, as he resigned as governor in 2021 after an investigation found that he sexually harassed multiple women and retaliated against those who made complaints.

Statistics:

  • 450: The number of Covid-19-related deaths in New York's nursing homes that Cuomo's administration was accused of underreporting by as much as half (New York Post)
  • 50%: The approximate percentage by which Cuomo's administration was accused of underreporting Covid-19-related deaths in nursing homes (New York Post)
  • 1: The number of time that Cuomo testified before Congress, during which he was accused of making false statements (House Oversight Committee)
  • 4 years: The length of time that Cuomo was governor before his resignation (New York Times)
  • 1 year: The length of time that Cuomo has been under investigation for sexual harassment allegations (New York Times)

Sources:

  • New York Post
  • New York Times
  • House Oversight Committee