The Justice Department has initiated an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is currently a prominent candidate for mayor of New York City. This investigation follows a referral from congressional Republicans, who have accused Cuomo of providing false testimony during an inquiry into his administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a source familiar with the situation.
This emerging investigation is a continuation of a previous request made to the Biden administration, which did not lead to any formal inquiry. The timing of this new investigation is significant, especially following the recent termination of a separate corruption case against Eric Adams, the current mayor of New York City and a rival to Cuomo. This decision caused turmoil within the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, where prosecutors were reportedly unwilling to drop the case as directed.
Eric Adams has publicly committed to supporting the Trump administration in its immigration initiatives, which adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape in New York. The Justice Department has chosen not to comment on the ongoing investigation into Cuomo, a situation first reported by The New York Times.
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, stated that they had not received any information regarding the federal investigation. He defended the former governor’s testimony, asserting, “We have never been informed of any such matter, so why would someone leak it now? 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 emphasized that Cuomo testified truthfully to the best of his recollection regarding events that transpired four years earlier and expressed willingness to address any follow-up questions.
A Justice Department official responded to inquiries about the investigation, stating, “This Department of Justice has ended the weaponization of government and will continue to follow the facts in every case in order to restore one tier of justice for all America.”
This situation is still developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. CNN’s Mark Morales contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing tensions and political ramifications surrounding this investigation.
