NEW YORK – Recently elected Rep. George Santos, RN.Y., facing master of Q: He is accused of forgery of his resume and circumstances of his mothers death together with dubious campaign financial statements and accusations of fundraising theft campaign for a dying dog among other things.
He admitted that he was embellishing his education and work history, but denied by most of other accusations even when he was sworn in for his new House post this month.
The allegations sparked numerous demands for his resignation, as well as at least two investigations and calls for additional probes. Santos, 34, has repeatedly said he will not retire. Here is the summary of investigations and reviews.
State investigations
The Santos area includes part of northern Nassau County, New York, on Long Island and also part of Queens, East New York. Nassau District Attorney Ann Donnelly, Republican announced that her office is investigating Santos after he publicly admitted that he had embellished his resume.
“Numerous fabrications and inconsistencies connected with Congressman-elect Santos is none other than of deafening. Inhabitants of Nassau County and other parts of The Third (Congressional) District Must Have an Honest and Accountable Representative in Congress,” Donnelly said. in statement made by her office in end of December.
“Not one above the law and if crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute him,” Donnelly concluded.
Her office did not provide any details of investigation, leaving it unclear what potential crimes could be review.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James office said in end of December that he is “studying a number of of issues” involving Santos. However, announcement has stopped of confirmation of the official investigation.
federal investigation
US District Court for Eastern District of New York headquarters in Brooklyn, includes the constituency of Santos. Investigation by U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, Chief Attorney for Eastern District, oriented in part on Santos financial deals, according to The New York Times, CNN and others news organizations.
representative for The world has not responded to a message looking for comment.
Questions about Santos financial deal included sources of financing for his 2022 campaign and also a sharp rise in informed him earnings between his poor performance in Congress in 2020 campaign and victory in 2022.
►USA TODAY investigates:George Santos’ college education is a myth. He is the only one one lying? We checked
►Concerns about Santos campaign the documents:Rep. George Santos’ finances raise questions. That’s what public records show.
►Complaint over GoFundMe efforts:Representative George Santos pushes back on ‘Madman’ claims to have stolen funds for veteranx dying dog
Calls for campaign financial investigations
Several organizations and elected officials called on The FEC is investigating the Santos case. campaign funding and expenses. Campania Legal Center, non-partisan advocate for voters, go ahead by filing a complaint with FEK. organization also sent a complaint to the US Department of justice public integrity section.
The complaint alleges that Santos:
- hid true sources of its 2022 Congress campaign funding, including “unexplained and highly suspicious origins of $705,000 Santos allegedly lent to his campaign.” Unknown companies and individuals could illegally money to campaign through a limited liability company he created, the CLC said in a statement.
- Falsified reports on its 2022 campaign expenses. In total, Santos reported 40 payouts ranging from $199 to $200. and 37 of expenses were for $199.99 one a penny below FEC threshold for requiring receipts, invoices or canceled checks.
- Used illegally campaign funds for personal expenses including accommodation for Santos.
FEK and Department of Justice did not comment on CSC complaint.
Separately, House Representatives Richie Torres and Daniel Goldman, both Democratic members of the House of Representatives from New York, asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate Santos.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican whose narrow majority of four seats cannot afford to lose a GOP member, has largely avoided controversy. When McCarthy became Speaker, his fellow Republicans placed Santos on two House committees. in camera.
revived criminal accusations in Brazil
Law enforcement in Brazil where Santos parents born plan to reopen the investigation into Santos’ alleged crimes. use of a stolen checkbook in 2008, according to The New York Times.
Allegedly using a false name, he used a checkbook for almost 700 dollars in expenses for shop outside Rio de Janeiro, according to the Times.
The investigation stalled because the Brazilian authorities were unable to find Santos. Now officials plan to appeal to the US Department of Justice notify Santos of the allegations, move which will allow the business to proceed.
“I am not criminal here – not here or in Brazil or any jurisdiction in in world” Santos told the New York Post. in December before the Times report of the Brazilian cause is resurgent.
