UPDATED: 06 FEB 2023 08:40 PM EST
NEW YORK — Former Rep. Lee Zeldin is forming a new federal fundraising PAC, without his longtime campaign treasurer.
Nancy Marks, the political accountant embattled Rep. George Santos also used for his congressional runs, won’t be a part of the PAC, Zeldin said Monday at the New York State Conservative Party Political Action Conference in Albany.
"We will be announcing a new federal PAC that is being stood up right now utilizing a different treasurer," Zeldin said.
The former Republican congressman, who stepped down to run for governor, would not confirm reports he's interested in challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Instead he said he simply wants to reenter politics.
Zeldin seemed eager to distance himself Santos and Marks, who are mired in allegations of campaign finance irregularities.
“The treasurer has something like close to 200 different accounts,” Zeldin said.
As for Santos, Zeldin said, “I don't see how he is possibly going to regain the trust of his constituents."
He stopped short of calling for the Long Island congressman's resignation.
"Whatever his expiration date is as a member of the House, I don't have that answer. He is seated," Zeldin said.
"There are many investigations going on. Different levels of government, FEC, House Ethics Committee, an international investigation apparently going on as well. I don't know whether or not he's going to stay there for the remainder of his term."
Marks has served as a campaign treasurer for Zeldin since his time in the state Senate over a decade ago.
She resigned from Santos' campaign and affiliated committees late last month. The Federal Election Commission, along with federal and local law enforcement, is probing allegations of financial impropriety in Santos' campaign.
Zeldin acknowledged he had a personal connection to Marks because their children go to school together on Long Island.
“Our interaction has been through Marks’ daughters,” he said, without elaborating.
