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Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is backing the Department of Justice's decision to investigate former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The investigation centers on accusations that Cuomo lied to Congress about his decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding a controversial executive order related to nursing homes.
Stefanik, a Republican, has been vocal in her criticism of Cuomo, stating that the probe is crucial for justice for the over 15,000 seniors in New York who died during the pandemic. She emphasized the need for accountability, citing Cuomo's alleged cover-up of nursing home death data and his executive order that required nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients. According to Stefanik, these actions represent a severe breach of public trust.
The investigation comes as Cuomo is running for mayor of New York City. According to FOX 5 NY, the DOJ began its probe about a month ago, following Cuomo's testimony to Congress in June 2024. During his seven-hour testimony, Cuomo denied involvement in drafting a New York State Department of Health report that allegedly undercounted nursing home deaths. However, evidence suggests he was involved in editing the report.
Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, claims the investigation is politically motivated, calling it "lawfare and election interference." Despite these claims, the investigation is moving forward under interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Stefanik remains committed to pursuing justice for New York families affected by the pandemic.