Republican New York Rep. George Santos’ office in New York was vandalized with gold paint on Thursday, police said.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said the vandalism occurred around 5 p.m. Santos staffers found the words “scata,” “lash,” and “meppa” written on his office’s window in graffiti as they arrived to work the next day. It is unclear what the words meant.
There have not been any reports of arrests made, and it is unclear if the NYPD had a suspect description. Police said they believe at least one of the words was misspelled. The paint had been cleaned off the window since Friday.
Santos released a statement condemning the vandalism of his office in Queens, which he inherited from retired Democrat Rep. Thomas Suozzi.
“This act of cowardly behavior is beyond unacceptable and compromises the safety of my staff as well as my constituents,” the congressman said. “My staff should never have to worry about entering the workplace, nor constituents who require federal assistance.”
This comes as he faces scrutiny from lawmakers after reports revealed he had fabricated much of his background during his 2022 campaign, in which he defeated Democrat Robert Zimmerman.
Most recently, Santos reportedly recused himself from multiple committee assignments. The Washington Post reported late last month that he told Republican colleagues that he would step down as he’d become a “distraction” for his party.
Santos currently serves on the House Small Business Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee, which have been controversial appointments following accusations that he fabricated his background during his campaign.
GOP Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene later confirmed the meeting and said it was a decision made entirely by the New York congressman.
“He just felt like there was so much drama really over the situation, especially with what we’re doing to work towards removing Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee,” Greene told CNN.
Newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also reiterated Greene’s statement, saying that Santos made an “appropriate” decision.
“I think it was an appropriate decision that, until he can clear everything up, he’s off of committees right now,” McCarthy told reporters.
