Former Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi — who is vying to return to Congress — rang up $20,400 in campaign contributions from an allegedly crooked cardiologist accused of stealing more than $1.3 million in Medicare and Medicaid funds, records show.
Suozzi, who has long boasted he’s the rare Democrat with enough independence and experience to fight Medicaid fraud, received the contributions from Dr. Perry Frankel from July 2020 through February 2022.
Much of the cash — $16,000 — went towards the longtime pol’s failed 2022 gubernatorial run, and the rest went into his congressional campaign coffers.
Suozzi, 61, received the first donation of $500 a month before inviting Frankel’s mobile cardiology operation to Glen Glove in June 2020.
Weeks later, he reportedly awarded Frankel with a government citation for his work assisting quarantined patients during the height of the pandemic.
In April 2022, Perry was indicted on federal fraud charges that are still pending.
Prosecutors say he submitted $1.3 million in fake claims to Medicare and Medicaid in relation to COVID-19 testing, and that he used some of the cash to purchase a 2021 Bentley Bentayga and an equestrian stable.
Longtime critics said Suozzi’s cozy relationship with Frankel raises all sorts of red flags.
“His supporters should be worried,” said Christopher Lange, a professor of radiation oncology and former longtime executive committee member of the Nassau County Democratic Party. “I think this implies a lack of honesty and straightforwardness on behalf of Suozzi.”
Reps for Suozzi’s campaign did not return messages and answer questions about whether the pol returned — or plans to return — the doc’s tainted cash.
There’s no record of Suozzi returning the funds.
Suozzi repped the 3rd Congressional District from 2017 to 2023.
He gave up the seat to run for governor, and was soundly beaten by incumbent Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary.
Suozzi on Oct. 10 announced plans to run in 2024 to get his old House seat back from truth-challenged Republican George Santos, who is facing a federal indictment after admitting to fabricating much of his official biography late last year.
Santos was charged in May with offenses including money laundering and lying to Congress in a financial disclosure.
Last week, Santos’ former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy that implicated the congressman.
The Republican lawmaker has professed his innocence and already announced plans to defend his seat.
