House Panel Refers Andrew Cuomo For DOJ Review Over Lies About NY’s Nursing Home Death Scandal

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has announced plans to refer former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution, claiming that he misled Congress about his role in shaping a New York state report on COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The Republican-led subcommittee argues that Cuomo engaged in a “calculated effort” to deflect accountability for thousands of pandemic-related nursing home fatalities.

The referral letter, signed by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), chairman of the subcommittee, alleges that Cuomo not only reviewed but also contributed to early drafts of the state health department report, contrary to what he stated in his congressional testimony. The ranking Democrat on the panel, Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), declined to endorse the referral, making it a partisan move by the committee’s GOP leadership.

Cuomo’s legal team responded by sending a letter to the DOJ, condemning the referral as a misuse of government resources and accusing the subcommittee of conducting a politically motivated investigation. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski, representing Cuomo, argued that the probe was influenced by Fox News personality Janice Dean, a vocal critic of Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic.

The controversy surrounding Cuomo dates back to March 2020, when his administration ordered nursing homes to readmit COVID-19-positive patients. Critics argue that this policy contributed to the deaths of over 4,000 residents, as confirmed by a 2021 report from New York Attorney General Letitia James. The report found that certain facilities experienced outbreaks where no COVID-19 cases were present before the directive.

Further scrutiny emerged following Cuomo’s June 2020 testimony before Congress, during which he denied involvement in altering classification methods that would have underreported nursing home deaths. Initial allegations surfaced through a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation, which revealed potential data manipulation by Cuomo’s administration.

Cuomo’s possible political comeback, including rumors of a run for New York City mayor, may be affected by the referral. With Mayor Eric Adams under a federal bribery investigation, speculation has mounted, though the renewed controversy surrounding Cuomo’s COVID-19 policies could pose significant hurdles to his return to public office.