Long Island Congressman Tom Suozzi — inching closer to announcing a run for governor — accused Gov. Kathy Hochul Monday of mishandling the firing of the state director of Italian-American Affairs. Suozzi, a Democrat who also represents a part of Queens, dashed a letter to Hochul responding to the Post report that she terminated popular Italian-American liaison Dolores Alfieri, an appointee of predecessor Andrew Cuomo.

“Members of the Italian-American community in New York have contacted me regarding your recent firing of Dolores Alfieri as state director for Italian-American Affairs,” Suozzi said. “As a former Mayor and County Executive, I recognize your authority to make personnel decisions and to place people of your choosing in important positions” Suozzi said.