A Republican Party official cast doubt on Rep.-elect George Santos’s (R-N.Y.) future in politics after reports alleged he falsified portions of his background and resume, triggering a local investigation.
“I don’t know what party would endorse him as a candidate ... this Republican Committee will not support George Santos in 2024,” he said, referring to when Santos would be up for reelection.
Among other details, Santos told the paper he never graduated from college, although previously stating he got a degree from Baruch College in 2010.
“I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume,” he said. “I own up to that … we do stupid things in life.”
There was also confusion about his ancestry. “I never claimed to be Jewish,” Santos told the paper. “I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was ‘Jew-ish.'”
Santos has indicated that he will not step down and will be sworn in next week. “I campaigned talking about the people’s concerns, not my resume,” he said.
Investigation
But Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican, said the inconsistencies were “nothing short of stunning.” Donnelly then announced she would launch an investigation.“The residents of Nassau County and other parts of the third district must have an honest and accountable representative in Congress,” she said. “If a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it.”
Santos is scheduled to be sworn in next Tuesday, when the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes. If he assumes office, he could face investigations by the House Committee on Ethics and the Justice Department.
A fellow Long Island Republican, Rep.-elect Nick LaLota, said he was troubled by the revelations. “I believe a full investigation by the House Ethics Committee and, if necessary, law enforcement, is required,” LaLota said Tuesday.
“George Santos owes the people of his district the complete and total truth about his personal and professional background, and a sincere apology for his behavior,” Rep.-elect Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said in a statement. “Attempts to blame others or minimize his actions are only making things worse and a complete distraction from the task at hand.”
Santos was interviewed by former Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Fox News on Tuesday in which Gabbard asked if he had “no shame.” In response, he said: “Tulsi, I can say the same thing about the Democrats and, and the party ... look at Joe Biden. Joe Biden’s been lying to the American people for 40 years. He’s the president of the United States. Democrats over-resoundingly support him. Do they have no shame?”
“I’m not a fraud. I’m not a fake. I didn’t materialize from thin air. I worked damn hard to get where I got my entire life. I made some mistakes, and I own up to them, and now I want to move past them so I can deliver for the American people,” Santos also told Gabbard.
Neither Santos nor his campaign issued public comments about the investigation on Wednesday. The Epoch Times has contacted his office for comment.
Friends Read Free