The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly misleading Congress about his COVID-19 decisions, as he vies for the NYC mayoral nomination.

The DOJ's investigation, which began about a month ago, focuses on Cuomo's potentially deceptive statements regarding the handling of nursing home deaths during the pandemic, a critical controversy that has marred his administration. With Cuomo now a leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race, this inquiry adds significant scrutiny to his campaign, amidst accusations from House Republicans that he should face criminal charges for his COVID-19 policies, including a directive that allowed the transfer of recovering COVID-19 patients to nursing homes, potentially exacerbating the crisis.

The criminal inquiry follows increased scrutiny about Cuomo's actions during the early months of the pandemic, particularly his March 2020 directive that barred nursing homes from refusing patients who had tested positive for COVID-19. This directive witnessed the transfer of over 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients from hospitals back into nursing homes. Critics argue that this policy is linked to a significant rise in nursing home fatalities during the pandemic period.

Cuomo’s testimony before Congress has faced heavy criticism for allegedly containing numerous false statements, particularly pertaining to the management and reporting of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. This testimony is central to the DOJ investigation, asserting that Cuomo may have provided misleading information regarding the state's COVID-19 death statistics and the effectiveness of his administration’s policies.

The House Republicans have previously called for the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against Cuomo, which has intensified the political stakes surrounding his campaign. This adds a layer of challenge to his efforts as he seeks to secure a position in the New York City mayoral election, in which he has emerged as a frontrunner among Democratic candidates.

In addition to Republican concerns, a New York State Comptroller report has criticized Cuomo's administration for a lack of transparency in reporting nursing home deaths, fuelling the argument that his government may have mismanaged the health crisis. The oversight committee in the House has expressed a readiness to cooperate with the Justice Department, which could lead to more disclosures about Cuomo's administration's actions during the COVID-19 crisis.

Cuomo’s spokesperson has dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, suggesting that it is part of a broader effort to undermine his political ambitions. This claim echoes sentiments heard from Cuomo while he was still in office, where he frequently defended his actions and accused critics of exploiting the pandemic for political gain.

As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this inquiry may impact his campaign for mayor. Cuomo’s team has not indicated any plans to alter their strategy even amidst growing legal troubles, suggesting confidence in his constituents’ support, despite the allegations against him.

The implications of the DOJ inquiry will likely extend beyond Cuomo's immediate political future. The investigation raises pertinent questions regarding accountability and transparency in government, especially in the context of public health decision-making during emergencies. Overall, the outcome of this investigation may set precedents not only for Cuomo but for how such matters are handled by other officials in similar circumstances.