(LibertySons.org) – Rep. George Santos (R-NY) faces 23 counts related to fraudulent activities he allegedly conducted while running his campaign for US representative. The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges the congressman submitted false reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and made unauthorized charges to donors’ credit cards in his effort to appear electable and trick the national party committee into further funding his campaign.
Shaky Foundation
Santos has found himself on the defensive throughout much of his term, beginning with the release of headlines about a month in that implied he’d falsified his college and employment history. NBC News provided a timeline of the alleged events, which have threatened the representative’s credibility and led to the Department of Justice probing his other activities.
The initial accusations against Santos include simple lies to the public as well as criminal charges:
- He falsely claimed he attended Baruch and earned a degree at New York University, but neither institution has any record that he ever attended.
- Statements that he had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs were found to be untruthful.
- Reporters debunked Santos’ assertions of having Jewish heritage. He tried to backpedal on the lie by insisting he’d called himself “Jew-ish.”
- The Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint against Santos and Devolder-Santos for Congress for allegedly concealing the source of his campaign donations.
- News reports debunked the representative’s claims that his mother had died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
- He reportedly organized a GoFundMe to help save the life of a disabled veteran’s dog but never turned over the money.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged him with money laundering, fraud, false statements, and theft of public funds for alleged activities that included a political contribution scam and filing for unemployment while fully employed.
Probes into Santos’ 2020 and 2022 financial reports prompted investigators to keep digging.
Latest Charges
The latest charges against Santos, filed on October 10, include aggravated credit card fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, conspiracy, false statements, and falsification of records. He stands accused of stealing people’s identities, charging donors’ credit cards without authorization, and building his campaign on stolen and fabricated contributions.
Santos allegedly attempted to steal $44,800 from one donor by repeatedly charging their credit card. The lawmaker then added the funds to his campaign under his own name or one of several relatives to try to obscure the source. In one instance, the 35-year-old lawmaker reportedly made a $12,000 charge to the individual’s card and then moved the bulk of that money to his personal bank account.
The DOJ also alleges Santos fabricated financial statements to mislead the FEC. He gave evidence that he had both a significant income and extensive contributions from donors, claiming to have personally loaned his campaign $500,000 when he’d only had about $8,000 to his name. He also falsely claimed he and a co-conspirator had at least 10 relatives between them who’d made significant contributions, but officials insist the two engaged in identity theft, using several names without the individuals’ knowledge or permission.
Santos returns to court on October 27.
~Here’s to Our Liberty!
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