House refers Andrew Cuomo to Justice Department for criminal proceedings for lying about COVID-19

The GOP-led House subcommittee investigating the coronavirus referred former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal proceedings alleging that he lied about deaths that occurred in nursing homes during the pandemic.

In his testimony before the panel, Cuomo, a Democrat, claimed that he did not review or write the reports about the fallout, which explained that it was nursing home staff who introduced the coronavirus into the facilities.

However, after investigating, the subcommittee found "overwhelming evidence" that Cuomo "reviewed, edited and even redacted portions" of the writings.

"Both witness testimony and new documents serve as evidence that the former Governor made false statements to the Select Subcommittee during our COVID-19 nursing home investigation. This deliberate and self-serving attempt to avoid accountability for the thousands of lives lost in New York nursing homes during the pandemic will not stand," said subcommittee Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio).

Wenstrup and the other Republicans reached that conclusion after examining various documents and emails showing Cuomo's involvement in drafting and reviewing the reports.

Cuomo's team reported that this accusation is an act of electioneering to win votes for Republicans.