James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has intensified his efforts to hold former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accountable for his handling of COVID-19 nursing home deaths.

According to Newsmax, Comer submitted a renewed criminal referral to the Department of Justice on Monday, seeking charges against Cuomo for allegedly making false statements to Congress regarding his involvement in a controversial 2020 COVID-19 report.

The criminal referral focuses on Cuomo's testimony before the House Select Subcommittee, where he denied involvement in drafting and reviewing a July 2020 New York State Department of Health report about COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

Republican committee members claim to possess documents contradicting Cuomo's statements, suggesting he actively participated in editing the report to deflect responsibility for thousands of deaths.

Critical Investigation Into Nursing Home Directive

The controversy stems from Cuomo's March 25, 2020, directive requiring New York nursing homes and long-term care facilities to admit COVID-positive patients.

This policy decision became a focal point of scrutiny as nursing home deaths mounted during the pandemic's early stages. The July 6, 2020, Health Department report attempted to attribute these deaths to nursing home staff rather than the controversial directive.

Documents uncovered by the Select Subcommittee reportedly show Cuomo's direct involvement in shaping the report's narrative.

Committee members assert this evidence directly contradicts his sworn testimony, where he claimed no knowledge of external reviews beyond the Health Department. These revelations have prompted renewed calls for accountability from Republican leadership.

Chairman Comer expressed his determination to pursue justice, stating:

Andrew Cuomo is a man with a history of corruption and deceit, now caught red-handed lying to Congress during the Select Subcommittee's investigation into the COVID-19 nursing home tragedy in New York. This wasn't a slip-up — it was a calculated cover-up by a man seeking to shield himself from responsibility for the devastating loss of life in New York's nursing homes.

Political Implications Amid Mayoral Campaign

The timing of this criminal referral carries significant political weight as Cuomo currently polls as a leading Democratic candidate in the upcoming New York City mayoral race scheduled for November 4.

The renewed scrutiny of his pandemic leadership threatens to impact his political comeback attempts. Previous investigations have already damaged his reputation and led to his resignation as governor.

Select Committee Chairman Brad Wenstrup initially sent a criminal referral to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in October, citing false statements made during Cuomo's June 11 interview.

Comer's latest letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi suggests the Biden administration failed to act on the initial referral despite substantial evidence.

Devastating Impact on New York Communities

Statistics from the nonprofit Long Term Care Community Coalition reveal the tremendous toll of the pandemic on New York's long-term care facilities.

At least 17,425 COVID deaths were recorded in these programs, with more than 10,825 occurring inside the facilities themselves. These numbers underscore the magnitude of the tragedy and the importance of establishing accountability for policy decisions made during the crisis.

The Justice Department now faces renewed pressure to investigate these allegations thoroughly. House Oversight Committee leadership has pledged full cooperation with any DOJ investigation into Cuomo's actions, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring accountability for statements made to Congress.

Criminal Referral Seeks Justice

James Comer's criminal referral to the Department of Justice represents a significant escalation in efforts to hold Andrew Cuomo accountable for his testimony about New York's nursing home COVID-19 deaths. The referral specifically targets Cuomo's statements to Congress regarding his involvement in a July 2020 Health Department report that addressed the impact of his March 25, 2020, directive.

The investigation continues as the Justice Department evaluates the evidence presented by House Republicans, including documents they claim prove Cuomo's direct involvement in editing the controversial report. This development occurs as Cuomo campaigns for New York City mayor, potentially affecting his political future and the ongoing discourse about leadership accountability during the pandemic.