Ex NYC Governor Andrew Cuomo under investigation for Covid testimony

The US justice department has launched an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo over his testimony to Congress during the Covid-19 pandemic, US media reports.

Congressional Republicans have accused Cuomo - who is running for New York City mayor - of lying in an investigation surrounding his response to the crisis.

It marks the latest in a string of investigations launched by the Trump administration into Democrats or opponents since the president returned to the White House.

Cuomo's spokesperson has said the former governor is not aware of a Justice Department investigation into his actions.

House Republicans reportedly requested Cuomo be federally investigated and argued he lie to a congressional committee when he said he was not involved in reviewing a report from the New York Health Department about how the state handled the Covid pandemic while he was governor.

In a statement, Rich Azzopardi, a Cuomo spokesperson, told the BBC's US partner CBS News that the former governor has not had any contact from law enforcement about the case or received any subpoenas.

He said news of the investigation was leaked, describing it as "lawfare" and "election interference".

The BBC has reached out to the Cuomo and the justice department for comment.

Cuomo was frequently criticised for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and often clashed with Trump over his handling of the crisis.

The one-time New York governor is attempting a political comeback and is leading polls in the New York City mayoral race.

He is running against Eric Adams, who in April had a criminal case against him permanently dismissed by a federal judge after the Trump administration directed prosecutors to drop the corruption charges.

The move led to the resignation of Manhattan's top federal prosecutor who accused Adams of striking a deal with the Trump administration to dismiss his case in exchange for immigration enforcement.

Cuomo is one of a handful of Democrats being targeted by Trump.

Earlier this week, a Trump-allied prosecutor charged a New Jersey Democratic lawmaker with assault following an alleged incident outside an immigration facility.