Biden DOJ Refused to Act Despite NY Attorney General’s Findings and Evidence of Cuomo Lying to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is once again facing serious legal jeopardy as House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has officially referred him to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution. The referral accuses Cuomo of deliberately lying to Congress to cover up his administration’s role in New York’s COVID-19 nursing home tragedy—a scandal first exposed by none other than New York State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James.
In January 2021, AG Tish James released a bombshell investigative report revealing that Cuomo’s administration undercounted nursing home COVID-19 deaths by as much as 50%. Her report confirmed what many had long suspected: the Cuomo administration manipulated data to conceal the deadly consequences of its March 25, 2020 directive, which forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients. This reckless policy contributed to the deaths of thousands of New York’s most vulnerable residents.
Despite James’ findings and mounting public outrage, Cuomo deflected blame, using a falsified New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) report to shift responsibility onto nursing home staff. Now, evidence gathered by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic shows that Cuomo not only orchestrated this cover-up but also lied under oath to Congress about his involvement.
Biden DOJ Turned a Blind Eye — Now the Trump DOJ Must Act
After the Biden Justice Department refused to pursue charges, Chairman Comer reissued the criminal referral—this time to Attorney General Pam Bondi under the Trump administration. The referral cites overwhelming evidence that Cuomo knowingly made false statements during a June 2024 transcribed interview, where he denied any role in drafting or reviewing the NYSDOH report exposed by Tish James years earlier.
“Andrew Cuomo wasn’t just incompetent—he was deceitful,” said Chairman Comer. “Tish James’ own report uncovered the truth about the undercounted deaths, yet Cuomo continued to lie, even to Congress. Lying to Congress is a federal crime, and it’s time he’s held accountable.”
The Timeline of a Tragedy and a Cover-Up
- March 25, 2020: Cuomo orders nursing homes to admit COVID-positive patients, triggering a wave of preventable deaths.
- July 6, 2020: Cuomo’s administration releases a manipulated NYSDOH report, falsely blaming nursing home staff.
- January 28, 2021: Attorney General Tish James publishes her report exposing that Cuomo underreported nursing home fatalities by up to 50%.
- June 11, 2024: Cuomo lies under oath, denying involvement in drafting the NYSDOH report.
- September 2024: Evidence surfaces of Cuomo attempting to influence witnesses and obstruct investigations.
- October 30, 2024: Cuomo is referred to the DOJ for criminal prosecution.
Political Protection vs. Accountability
Despite Tish James’ detailed report and subsequent investigations, the Biden DOJ chose political protection over justice—allowing Cuomo to avoid consequences for years. Now, under new leadership, Comer is pressing for the Trump DOJ to enforce the law without partisan bias.
Cuomo’s fall from grace is stark. Once celebrated by national media and political elites as a pandemic hero—even winning an Emmy for his COVID briefings—he now stands accused of covering up one of the deadliest policy failures in New York history.
The Role of Letitia James and Ongoing Obstruction
While AG Tish James was the first major Democrat to publicly challenge Cuomo’s narrative, questions remain about why further state-level prosecutions never materialized. Meanwhile, current Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration has been accused of continuing to withhold critical documents related to the nursing home scandal.
The House Oversight Committee has already subpoenaed Hochul’s office, signaling that the investigation extends beyond Cuomo himself.
Justice for the Victims’ Families
For the thousands of families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes, this referral represents a long-overdue step toward justice. It highlights not only Cuomo’s actions but also the systemic failures and political shielding that allowed this cover-up to persist.
“The truth was exposed by Tish James in 2021, yet Cuomo continued to lie—confident that his political connections would protect him,” Comer stated. “It’s time for accountability. No politician, no matter how powerful, should escape justice when lives were lost due to deceit and reckless governance.”
With the referral now before Attorney General Pam Bondi, the nation watches to see if Cuomo will finally face prosecution—not just for policy failure, but for allegedly lying to Congress and betraying public trust.
