A House Oversight Committee report has revealed that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo attempted to improperly influence the testimony of a key witness in the congressional investigation into his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes.
The report, released on Wednesday, alleges that Cuomo made multiple attempts to contact former aide Jim Malatras, who was set to testify before the committee. The communication, which included texts and phone calls, took place within 48 hours of the committee taking specific actions in its investigation.
Malatras, who served as Cuomo’s director of state operations and later as chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, was the only former Cuomo staffer to confirm that the governor had edited a report to downplay the true number of nursing home deaths.
The report states that Cuomo’s pattern of behavior suggests an attempt to influence Malatras’ testimony and obstruct the committee’s investigation. The committee shared screenshots of Cuomo’s texts to Malatras, in which he expressed sympathy for the former aide’s struggles and offered to help him.
Malatras did not respond to Cuomo’s initial message, but the former governor reached out again two days after the committee selected Malatras for a transcribed interview. In this message, Cuomo wrote that he was checking in to see how Malatras was doing and that he was confident the former aide would “do well” because of his “quality and talent.”
Cuomo made a third attempt to contact Malatras on the same day the committee confirmed his hearing date, calling him and immediately bringing up the nursing home investigation. Malatras testified that he felt uncomfortable during the call and that Cuomo was trying to make him aware of “positive information” about the state’s nursing home numbers.
The committee has determined that Cuomo’s actions were consistent with an attempt to inappropriately influence the testimony of a witness and obstruct the investigation. The report also accuses Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, of using “intimidation tactics” on the committee’s staff.
Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his messages to Malatras were simply “nice notes to a person.” The committee is continuing its investigation and is evaluating all avenues to hold Cuomo accountable.
The report also notes that the committee has subpoenaed current Governor Kathy Hochul, alleging that her administration has withheld relevant records.
