2023-11-16 20:41:43
The ethics committee of the US House of Representatives published this Thursday the report of the investigation into Republican George Santos, which reveals that the congressman took money from his campaign to “personal issues”.
The report, which concludes that Santos “he is not worthy of his position” but does not ask for his dismissal, he also accuses the legislator of having “caused” that his team filed false or incomplete reports with the Federal Electoral Commission, which regulates the financing of electoral campaigns.
The ethics committee, which has been investigating Santos since March of this year, voted to unanimously adopt the report and deliver the “substantial evidence of possible violations of federal law” to the Department of Justice to “take such actions as you consider appropriate”, as detailed in a statement.
“Santos’ conduct deserves public condemnation, it does not live up to the dignity of the office and has brought serious discredit to the House of Representatives”states the statement that accompanies the report.
The legislator, who represents New York’s third congressional district, rejected the committee’s complaints, called the report “biased” and announced that he will not seek re-election to his seat.
“I will remain firm in the fight for my rights and to defend my name in the face of adversity,” he wrote on platform X (formerly Twitter).
The 56-page report details Santos’ financial schemes with which he transferred money from his campaign to his personal accounts.
Through a front company, the legislator received at least 200 thousand dollars in 2022. With the money deposited in his account, Santos paid his credit cards for personal use, as well as purchases at the Hermès luxury goods store.the adult content platform OnlyFans and meals, among other expenses, according to the report.
The publication of this report comes two weeks after the plenary session of the House of Representatives decided not to expel the controversial legislator, after a vote of 213 votes in favor and 179 against.
Santos is accused before a court in New York of fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, false testimony, conspiracy against the United States or falsification of documents, among others. charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The Republican had achieved notoriety long before, famous for the web of falsehoods he concocted to be elected in the November 2022 midterm elections.
According to federal prosecutor Breon Peace, Santos “inflated the campaign’s declared income with non-existent, invented or stolen loans and contributions.”
The former treasurer of Santos’ campaign, Nancy Marks, who is also accused in the case, has pleaded guilty to fraud, a fact that for his detractors would be sufficient reason to expel him.
Only five congressmen have been expelled in the history of the United States House of Representatives, three of them during the Civil War for supporting the rebel side. The other two, convicted of bribery crimes, in 1980 and 2002.
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