ALBANY, New York — Covid once boosted Andrew Cuomo’s popularity, but now it threatens his political comeback.

The former New York governor faces potential criminal charges over alleged misrepresentation of nursing home data to Congress during the pandemic. A recent criminal referral from a Covid House panel to the Department of Justice complicates Cuomo’s efforts to re-enter politics, possibly through a run for New York City mayor or a return as governor.

The 107-page report from the House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic includes emails and private testimony detailing Cuomo’s involvement in altering a report to undercount nursing home deaths. This has given both Democratic and Republican critics an opportunity to attack him. New York City mayoral candidate and comptroller Brad Lander accused Cuomo of lying “not only to Congress but also to grieving families” for financial gain. Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik added that Cuomo “must be held criminally responsible” and would “never hold public office again.”

Cuomo gained national prominence at the start of the pandemic with daily briefings that contrasted with then-President Trump’s approach, winning fans and even an Emmy. However, critiques of his pandemic management resurfaced this week following the referral.

Cuomo’s team downplayed the referral, calling it a political maneuver. “There’s no there there: This is a political document with the legal weight of a Denny’s placemat,” Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi stated. He argued that only Cuomo’s critics are taking it seriously.

In testimony, Cuomo claimed he did not recall editing the report, conflicting with former staffers’ accounts and documents showing his involvement. Cuomo’s team recently requested access to documents to refresh his memory, including a June 2020 email on edits he made to the report. His attorney, Rita Glavin, sent a letter requesting this to Rep. Brad Wenstrup, chair of the subcommittee, but received no response.

The House panel’s referral addressed Cuomo’s request, stating that attempts to amend statements would not change any falsehoods in the original. A subcommittee spokesperson said they presented “strong evidence” against Cuomo.

Cuomo responded aggressively, a tactic he has often used to stay on the offensive when challenged. His spokesperson called the panel’s claims “a joke” and accused them of misleading the public and press. Azzopardi dismissed the Republican-led investigation as a “farce” aimed at “scoring cheap political points.”

The referral’s timing, just days before Election Day, prompted House Democrats on the panel to criticize it, although they did not defend Cuomo. The Department of Justice declined to comment.

Previous local investigations and a civil rights probe by the Department of Justice initiated during Trump’s term have not resulted in any charges against Cuomo for his Covid policies.