DOJ Investigates Cuomo Over COVID Policy Misstatements
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 21
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Weakly Right-Leaning
Why: The Source emphasizes allegations and internal criticism of Cuomo with limited defense coverage, reflecting a narrative commonly found in right-leaning outlets.
The Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice is actively investigating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly providing false or misleading information related to his administration’s handling of COVID-19 policies during the pandemic.
According to recent reporting, federal investigators are looking into whether Cuomo deliberately misrepresented key decisions that impacted nursing homes and public perception of his crisis management.
This probe reportedly includes scrutiny over Cuomo’s communications with both the public and the federal government regarding data on nursing home deaths, as well as the rationale behind major policy decisions.
What Prompted the Investigation
Sources cited by Fox News state that Cuomo is under investigation for potentially lying to federal officials and the public. Specifically, the inquiry focuses on:
The decision to send COVID-positive patients from hospitals back into nursing homes in early 2020.
The Cuomo administration’s handling of COVID-19 death statistics in long-term care facilities.
Whether misleading or false information was provided to federal agencies, including the CDC and DOJ, to mask the real impact of these decisions.
Federal prosecutors are reportedly reviewing internal emails and other communications related to these policies.
Cuomo's Public Statements
Cuomo previously defended his administration’s decisions, saying the nursing home policy followed CDC guidelines at the time. He also argued that New York’s COVID death reporting was transparent and consistent with federal requirements. In 2021, the former governor stated that New York was being "singled out" and that there was no cover-up in how the data was presented.
Criticism from Within
One of the more significant developments noted in the investigation is the role of former staffers and officials who have come forward to express concern about Cuomo's handling of the pandemic. These individuals reportedly questioned the accuracy of internal data reporting and how decisions were communicated publicly.
Some aides believed that the administration downplayed the number of nursing home deaths in order to preserve Cuomo’s public image during his rise in national prominence, including a lucrative book deal and daily press briefings praised by the media.
Context and Previous Scrutiny
This is not the first time Cuomo’s pandemic leadership has come under fire. In 2021, the New York Attorney General’s Office published a report stating that the Cuomo administration undercounted nursing home deaths by as much as 50%. Following that, the DOJ initiated preliminary inquiries, but no charges were filed at that time.
Cuomo resigned from office in August 2021 amid unrelated sexual harassment allegations, which he denied. He has not faced criminal charges related to either matter to date.
What’s Next
The DOJ investigation appears to be ongoing, and no indictments or formal accusations have been made. However, if prosecutors find evidence of intentional deception, Cuomo could face federal charges related to obstruction or making false statements. A spokesperson for Cuomo did not respond to a request for comment in the article, and there has been no official confirmation from the DOJ on the scope or timeline of the probe.
Broader Implications
The case raises larger questions about political accountability during crisis governance, particularly how elected officials report critical health data. Cuomo was once viewed as a national model for pandemic leadership, but the DOJ's investigation may complicate his political legacy.
This latest development underscores how post-pandemic audits are still unfolding and could lead to legal consequences for public officials beyond Cuomo.
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