In a significant development, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faces renewed scrutiny as House Oversight Chairman James Comer resubmits a criminal referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing him of lying under oath during investigations into New York’s COVID-19 nursing home policies. This referral, sent on April 21, 2025, to Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleges that Cuomo violated 18 U.S.C. §1001, a federal statute prohibiting false statements to Congress, in an attempt to cover up his administration’s mishandling of nursing home deaths during the pandemic.
Background of the Nursing Home Scandal
In March 2020, the Cuomo administration issued a controversial directive requiring nursing homes to admit COVID-positive and potentially COVID-positive patients. This policy, known as the March 25 Directive, exposed New York’s vulnerable elderly population to the virus, leading to thousands of deaths. A subsequent New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) report, released on July 6, 2020, claimed that nursing home staff, not the directive, were responsible for excess deaths. However, evidence uncovered by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic suggests that Cuomo personally drafted and edited parts of this report, contrary to his testimony.
[](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
The Criminal Referral
The criminal referral, initially submitted on October 30, 2024, was ignored by the Biden administration’s DOJ. Comer’s resubmitted letter to Bondi emphasizes the severity of Cuomo’s actions, stating:
“On October 30, 2024, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic referred former Governor of the State of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo, for making criminally false statements in violation 18 U.S.C. §1001. To our knowledge, the Biden Administration ignored this referral despite clear facts and evidence.”
[](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
Comer accuses Cuomo of falsely claiming he had no role in drafting or reviewing the NYSDOH report. Documents and witness testimony, including emails and handwritten notes, contradict Cuomo’s statements, revealing his direct involvement.
[](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/house-panel-to-criminally-refer-andrew-cuomo-to-doj-for-alleged-false-statements-over-covid-nursing-home-response/5939931/)Cuomo’s Defense and Political Context
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, dismissed the referral as a “meritless press release” and accused the committee of political motivations, especially as Cuomo campaigns for New York City mayor in 2025. Despite his resignation in August 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, which he denies, Cuomo has maintained that he did not recall details about the NYSDOH report, a defense that critics argue is insufficient given the evidence.
[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-led-house-panel-renews-referral-andrew-cuomo-prosecution-covid-rcna202258)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/nyregion/cuomo-lies-covid-justice.html)Investigation Timeline
- March 25, 2020: Cuomo’s administration mandates nursing homes to admit COVID-positive patients. [](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
- July 6, 2020: NYSDOH releases a report, allegedly edited by Cuomo, blaming nursing home staff for deaths. [](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
- January 28, 2021: NY Attorney General Letitia James reports that nursing home deaths were undercounted by up to 50%. [](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
- June 11, 2024: Cuomo testifies, denying involvement in the NYSDOH report, contradicted by new evidence. [](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
- October 30, 2024: Select Subcommittee refers Cuomo to DOJ for false statements. [](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
- April 21, 2025: Comer resubmits referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi. [](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)
Implications and Next Steps
Chairman Comer has vowed that the House Oversight Committee will cooperate fully with the DOJ’s investigation. He stated, “Andrew Cuomo is a man with a history of corruption and deceit, now caught red-handed lying to Congress during the Select Subcommittee’s investigation into the COVID-19 nursing home tragedy in New York.” The referral’s outcome remains uncertain, as such referrals do not legally obligate the DOJ to act, but the political pressure is mounting as the Trump administration signals a willingness to pursue charges against Democratic officials.
[](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-andrew-cuomo-referred-doj-criminal-charges/)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/nyregion/cuomo-criminal-referral-covid.html)For more details, read the letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the full criminal referral, and Cuomo’s transcribed interview.