Retiring Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) tore into his successor, incoming Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), in a guest essay published by The New York Times on Tuesday.
In the op-ed bluntly titled “A Con Man Is Succeeding Me In Congress Today,” Suozzi said he’d “lost track of how many evasions and lies Mr. Santos has told about himself, his finances and his history and relationship with our stretch of Long Island and northeastern Queens.”
“When he is seated, it will diminish our Congress, our country and my constituents — soon his constituents,” Suozzi warned. “It saddens me that after 30 years of public service rooted in hard work and service to the people of this area, I’m being succeeded by a con man.”
Santos has drawn fierce criticism after it emerged he had fabricated details about his background, including his education and work history. He is reportedly facing at least two investigations into his conduct, but took over his office in the House on Tuesday and vowed to serve.
Suozzi said Santos’ behavior “went beyond BS” and called for him to be “removed by Congress or by prosecutors, because there is no indication that he will be moved by conscience to voluntarily resign.”