Cuomo Facing Criminal Referral Over Nursing Home Reports
The Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has sent a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland, referring a potential criminal case involving former New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. The referral alleges that Cuomo lied to Congress regarding his role in a state health department report undercounting nursing home deaths.
Subcommittee’s Allegations Against Cuomo
The letter from Rep. Brad Wenstrup, the subcommittee chairman, states that Cuomo made criminally false statements. These include claims that he was not involved in the drafting or review of the July 6 report, and that he did not have discussions about the report’s peer review. The subcommittee asserts that documents prove these statements are false.
Cuomo’s Parish on the Report
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, dismissed the allegations, stating that the governor did not recall any official involvement because he likely did not recall. A central issue is the Cuomo administration’s March 2020 directive that nursing homes admit Covid-19 positive patients, leading to an increase in deaths among vulnerable residents.
Background of the Nursing Home Death Count Controversy
In January 2021, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a report detailing that Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents were undercounted by approximately 50%. James’ report concluded that deaths were systematically underreported based on surveys of nursing homes.
Evidence of Cuomo’s Possible Involvement
A June 2020 email from Farrah Kennedy, Cuomo’s former executive assistant, suggests that the Cuomo administration edited the report. Kennedy’s email was titled "Edits to nursing home doc," and she believed it to be Cuomo’s handwriting. Kennedy suggested edits offered by the governor’s staff, which Cuomo denied were his.
The April 2024 Subcommittee Referral and Its Consequences
The subcommittee has sent a referral to the Department of Justice, alleging that Cuomo made multiple false statements about his involvement in the July 6 report. This referral is based on witness testimonies and documents that demonstrate inconsistencies in Cuomo’s stories.
Cuomo’s Legal Troubles as Governance Comes Under Scrutiny
Cuomo’s tenure has been scrutinized due to discoveries of undercounted Covid-19 deaths and other controversies. The 2021 Jonathan Burdick Report further revealed systemic negligence, earning Cuomo’s resignation four months later.
Call-to-Action: Stay Informed on Latest Updates
Readers are encouraged to stay tuned to CNN and other reliable news sources for the latest developments in Andrew Cuomo’s potential legal actions and the ongoing political repercussions surrounding his time as New York’s governor.