Ethics questions about fundraiser, charges and extra: where George Santos' many scandals stand - POLITICO

day by day brings Rep.-go with George Santos nearer to his respectable Congressional swearing in. day by day additionally apparently reveals additional problems for the scandal-plagued manhattan Republican.

The unraveling of Santos' campaign narrative begun with a new York instances exposé on Dec. 19 that referred to as into query claims he'd made about attending Baruch faculty, working at Goldman Sachs and saving hundreds of dogs and cats for an animal rescue charity.

here's a recap of the further dizzying traits because Monday, when the big apple Republican first addressed fabrications about his resume, dismissing them as mere embellishments.

promoting entry to his swearing-in

For between $a hundred and $500, Santos stated donors could get a bus trip to Washington, lunch, a swearing-in ceremony and a campaign-led tour of the "Capitol grounds." The invitation, first suggested through CNN Thursday, launched a sparkling round of questions on Santos' ethics.

crusade finance consultants at the nonpartisan campaign felony center spoke of it wasn't instantly clear that the present turned into a violation, considering the invitation didn't explicitly say the funds paid changed into for a tour. moreover, the tour present become for the "Capitol grounds," not the Capitol constructing itself or its workplace buildings, which is usually a reference to the outdoor public house across the Capitol in preference to private areas. Santos might run afoul of ethics suggestions barring using reputable substances for campaigns, besides the fact that children, if he explicitly held tours or conferences with donors in congressional buildings.

Congress' ethics watchdog these days knocked outgoing Rep. Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii), as an example, for campaign social media posts from the Capitol and condo workplace buildings. If Santos is inviting donors to the reputable swearing-in ceremony, it may violate those same guidelines. It's an strange circulate both method – lawmakers every get hold of a number of invitations to the swearing in ceremony that they typically supply to family or close pals.

Key Republican congressman predicts ethics probe

Kentucky Rep. James Comer, the precise Republican on the Oversight Committee, talked about on Fox news Thursday nighttime that he's "relatively confident" the condominium Ethics Committee will investigate Santos. He also referred to as the member-elect's resume fabrications "a disgrace, he's lied to the voters."

condominium GOP chief Kevin McCarthy, who is dealing with a revolt amongst some conservatives that complicates his bid for the house speakership, in addition to other conference leaders have remained silent about Santos' admitted fabrications.

Eye-popping expenditures

Santos is also drawing scrutiny for a series of questionable fees made by means of his crusade. The crusade spent $11,000 to rent a suburban house in Huntington, big apple, claiming it changed into lodging for group of workers, the manhattan times stated — but neighbors pointed out Santos himself was viewed residing there. It's illegal for a candidate to spend crusade dollars on their own own charges.

The crusade also spent greater than $forty,000 on air trip, based on the times — a determine some distance past what's customarily spent all through a local congressional campaign. a different $30,000 turned into spent on motels throughout the country and $14,000 on vehicle services. Dozens of charges by way of the campaign were listed in disclosure forms at $199.ninety nine, simply under the $200 threshold where receipts are required.

Santos lawyer Joe Murray informed the times that some campaign funds turned into spent "unwisely" through a firm that has because been fired, however that the entire expenditures have been felony.

Press secretary resigns

In an indication Santos' standing is transforming into more and more shaky, his campaign press secretary resigned Thursday, POLITICO first stated. the clicking secretary, Gabby Lipsky, had been expected to be part of the congressman-decide on's group of workers in D.C. before she stepped down, in response to someone widespread with the matter.

Democratic congressman introduces the "SANTOS Act"

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) announced Thursday night he's introducing law that might require candidates for federal office to divulge their employment, educational and armed forces historical past below oath. False statements can be punishable as perjury.

"I discover it outrageous that a fraudulent candidate like George Santos can deceive voters about his qualifications, about his employment and tutorial background," Torres pointed out in an interview. "it could allow voters to compare what a candidate has pointed out below oath, versus what a candidate has mentioned on the crusade path."

He's dubbing the invoice the cease yet another Non-fair workplace Seeker, or SANTOS Act. It's doubtful if the invoice would go any place with the condo GOP days from taking the majority.

Torres observed his invoice would focus peculiarly on verifiable academic, employment and military background — steerage away from questions like personal identification, where answers are greater subjective. Santos has also been referred to as out for mendacity about being Jewish. "There's now not a first amendment right to perjure yourself," Torres observed.

questions about his mother's loss of life

Santos is also dealing with questions about statements he made in regards to the demise of his mother, after journalist Yashar Ali unearthed tweets he posted with potentially contradictory bills of her loss of life.

In 2021, Santos tweeted, "9/eleven claimed my moms life." In a separate 2021 post, despite the fact, he positioned her dying in 2016, writing: "December 23rd this year marks 5 years I lost my best friend and mentor. mom you are going to are living continually in my coronary heart." An obituary confirms she died in 2016.

Santos' campaign website says that his mom, who turned into working on the earth alternate center's South Tower on Sept. 11, survived the assaults however "handed away a number of years later when she misplaced her battle to cancer."

Many 9/11 survivors developed melanoma and other illnesses related to their publicity to toxins from the terrorist assault, however Santos has no longer clarified no matter if her disease was linked to the assault and organizations that track survivors have no listing of her ever filing for a linked compensation award or lawsuit, based on Rolling Stone.

Three new probes

distinctive law enforcement organizations are looking into Santos' actions. Federal prosecutors on the U.S. lawyer's workplace for the japanese District of manhattan are reviewing public campaign filings amid questions in regards to the supply of the flesh presser's wealth, ABC news first mentioned.

The Nassau County district attorney introduced an investigation Wednesday to determine if any of his fabrications volume to a criminal offense.

ny state attorney commonplace Tish James' workplace has also spoke of it is calling into a few issues involving Santos' behavior.

A spokesperson for Santos didn't return a message looking for comment.

Olivia Beavers contributed to this file.

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