Rep. George Santos Under Investigation by House Ethics Subcommittee
The House ethics committee announced on Thursday that it has established a subcommittee to investigate whether Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) “engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office.”[0] The committee also noted that “the mere fact of establishing an Investigative Subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”[1]
Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) will serve as chair of the investigative subcommittee, and Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) will serve as its ranking Democrat.[1] Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) will also sit on the panel.[1] Santos's verified Twitter account stated the congressman “is fully cooperating. There will be no further comment made at this time.”[2]
Santos has been under scrutiny for a myriad of falsehoods about his background, and questions about his 2022 congressional campaign.[3] In December, a New York Times investigation found he misrepresented numerous aspects of his career.[4] Santos confessed to “embellishing” his resume, yet more facts about his history have gone on to be revealed.[5]
The dishonesty seen during Santos' initial period in office is comparable to that of some of Washington D.C.'s most experienced political strategists.[6] In December, it was revealed by The New York Times that Santos had made false statements about his past.[6] The congressman had falsely claimed to be enrolled at prestigious universities and had not been truthful about his past employment at major financial institutions.[6] According to a report from Forward, Santos had identified as a “proud American Jew” in political documents, asserting that his family was made up of Holocaust survivors, even though genealogical records showed otherwise.[6]
The greater risk, however, could come from a closer examination of his campaign finances.[7] According to CNN, late in 2020, federal prosecutors in New York were conducting an investigation into matters concerning the wealth and loans exceeding $700,000 that were given to his victorious 2022 campaign.[8] Santos has emphatically declared that the funds he contributed to the campaign were legitimately obtained.[8] A campaign watchdog organization has submitted a complaint, questioning the origin of the considerable financial benefit.[8] In 2018, Santos's salary was reported to be $55,000 and he had no assets.[7]
0. “Two more House Republicans call for home-state Rep. Santos to be ousted” The Hill, 1 Mar. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3879319-two-more-house-republicans-call-for-home-state-rep-santos-to-be-ousted/
1. “House ethics subcommittee to investigate George Santos for alleged unlawful activity, sexual misconduct” Gothamist, 2 Mar. 2023, https://gothamist.com/news/santos-to-face-probe-by-house-ethics-committee-subcommittee
2. “House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. George Santos” NPR, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/03/02/1160682985/george-santos-ethics-investigation
3. “House Ethics panel launches investigation into Santos” POLITICO, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/02/house-ethics-probe-george-santos-00085261
4. “Rep. George Santos under investigation by House Ethics Committee” CBS News, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-santos-house-ethics-committee-investigation/
5. “McCarthy says he would have ‘difficulty’ backing Santos for reelection” The Hill, 28 Feb. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3877991-mccarthy-says-he-would-have-difficulty-backing-santos-for-reelection
6. “House Ethics Committee Investigating George Santos for … Just About Everything” Yahoo Entertainment, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/house-ethics-committee-investigating-george-200556858.html
7. “House Ethics Committee opens investigation into Rep. George Santos” NBC News, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-ethics-committee-opens-investigation-rep-george-santos-rcna73157
8. “House Ethics Committee announces investigation into embattled Rep. George Santos” CNN, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/02/politics/george-santos-house-ethics-committee/index.html
