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The Justice Department has reportedly launched an investigation into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to sources cited by The New York Times on Tuesday.
Cuomo, a Democrat who gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, is under scrutiny following a referral from House Oversight Chairman James Comer.
Comer has consistently urged the Justice Department to examine what he considers inaccurate statements Cuomo made to a House subcommittee reviewing his administration’s pandemic response. The probe, which is reported to have begun last month, is said to be overseen by former interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Ed Martin. Both the DOJ and the FBI have declined to confirm or comment on the matter.
Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi questioned the motives behind the timing of the reported investigation, noting that it comes just ahead of New York City’s upcoming mayoral primary, in which Cuomo is vying for the Democratic nomination. Current Mayor Eric Adams is running as an independent after winning as a Democrat.
“We have never been informed of any such matter, so why would someone leak it now?” Azzopardi said. “The answer is obvious: This is lawfare and election interference plain and simple — something President Trump and his top Department of Justice officials say they are against.”
Azzopardi also stated that Cuomo is willing to appear before Congress again to clarify previous testimony regarding his involvement in preparing a New York State Health Department report on nursing home fatalities during the pandemic.
This reported inquiry follows the DOJ’s recent decision to drop corruption charges against Mayor Adams, who had been accused of receiving illegal campaign contributions from the Turkish government.
A new poll from Marist University, conducted in early May, shows Cuomo leading the Democratic primary race by a wide margin. According to results released last week, Cuomo topped rival Zohran Mamdani by 24 points in the fifth round of ranked-choice voting, securing a majority with 53 percent support.
In the initial round, Cuomo garnered 44 percent of the vote, followed by Mamdani at 22 percent and current Mayor Eric Adams at 11 percent. City Comptroller Brad Lander began with 10 percent and ultimately placed third before being eliminated.
Other candidates, including former Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, former Assemblymember Michael Blake, and business executive Whitney Tilson, polled in the single digits. The primary election is scheduled for June 24.
