FBI Investigating Alleged Role of Rep. George Santos in Fundraising Scheme for Veteran’s Dying Dog: Reports

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) leaves the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 12, 2023 in Washington. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reportedly looking into allegations that Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) raised thousands of dollars for a disabled veteran’s cancer-afflicted service dog but kept the fundraising donations himself.

The retired U.S. Navy veteran, Richard Osthoff, told NBC News on Wednesday that he had been in contact with FBI agents via phone and handed over requested records and information relating to the allegations.

That information allegedly includes text messages from 2016 between himself and Santos regarding raising $3,000 for his dog, Sapphire, who needed life-saving surgery, Osthoff told the publication.

“I’m elated the big guys finally picked it up,” Osthoff said. “I turned over all my text messages and I’m in the process of turning over everything related to the GoFundMe campaign.”

Separately, a representative for Osthoff told CBS News that he had also spoken with the FBI on Wednesday and the agency said they are going to question him at a later date.

An FBI spokesperson told The Epoch Times the agency can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

Veteran’s Dog Needed Life-Saving Surgery

Osthoff recently told Patch.com that he met Santos in May 2016 while he was living in an abandoned chicken coop in New Jersey with Sapphire, a pit bull mix.

According to Osthoff, the dog had developed a life-threatening stomach tumor and needed surgery that would cost about $3,000.

A veterinary technician reportedly informed Osthoff that he knew “a guy who runs a pet charity who can help you” who was identified as “Anthony Devolder” and who had a pet charity called “Friends of Pets United.”

Santos allegedly went by the name Devolder in the past before entering politics, according to multiple reports.

A video shared to the Twitter account PatriotTakes on Jan. 13 appeared to show Santos introducing himself as Anthony Devolder during a 2019 question and answer session at a “Walk Away LGBT” event in New York City where he describes himself as the founder of a group called “United for Trump.”

According to Osthoff and another New Jersey veteran, retired police Sgt. Michael Boll, Devolder set up a GoFundMe page for Osthoff’s dog but ultimately closed it down when it successfully raised the $3,000 that was needed for the life-saving surgery.

They claim that Devolder then kept the money. Osthoff’s dog died six months later, according to the veteran.

Santos Denies Allegations

Santos has denied the allegations.

In a Jan. 19 post on Twitter, the lawmaker wrote: “The reports that I would let a dog die is shocking and insane. My work in animal advocacy was the labor of love and hard work. Over the past 24hr I have received pictures of dogs I helped rescue throughout the years along with supportive messages. These distractions won’t stop me!”

The claims regarding Santos’s alleged ties to the fundraising scandal come as the Republican from the North Shore of Long Island, New York, has come under scrutiny from fellow lawmakers after revealing he fabricated parts of his past, including his education and employment history.

Federal and local prosecutors are currently investigating the lawmaker over potential violations of federal campaign finance laws and his lies about his background and work history during his campaign. He has not been charged with any crime.

Despite the investigations, Santos was assigned to two separate committees—the House Committee on Small Business and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology—on Jan. 17.

However, he announced on Tuesday that he is voluntarily stepping down from his committee assignments amid the ongoing probes.

“With the ongoing attention surrounding both my personal and campaign financial investigations, I have submitted a request to Speaker McCarthy that I be temporarily recused from my committee assignments until I am cleared,” Santos said in a statement.