WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Justice Department is investigating Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York and a top candidate for New York City mayor after Republicans accused him of lying to Congress about how he handled the COVID-19 pandemic. This information came from people familiar with the case.

Some critics argue that this investigation is another example of the Justice Department targeting Donald Trump's political opponents. Trump, who has faced legal cases himself, has often said those cases were unfair. He has also called for investigations into individuals with whom he disagrees.

Several sources confirmed the investigation, which was first reported by The New York Times. The Justice Department has not commented on the matter.

Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, stated that the campaign hadn't been informed about the investigation. He accused Trump and the Justice Department of using the law to hurt political opponents and interfere in elections—something, he said, Trump claims to be against.

Cuomo resigned in August 2021 after a state report accused him of sexual harassment and other misconduct, which he denies. Now 67 years old, he is leading in the race for the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor on June 24.

The winner will face current mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent. Adams had also faced a federal investigation for bribery and fraud, but the charges were dropped after he supported Trump's immigration policies.

Last year, a Republican-controlled House subcommittee asked the Justice Department to consider prosecuting Cuomo based on private testimony he gave about the pandemic, according to The New York Times.

"Governor Cuomo testified truthfully to the best of his recollection about events from four years earlier, and he offered to address any follow-up questions from the Subcommittee - but from the beginning this was all transparently political," Azzopardi said in his statement.