FOX News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on findings surrounding the GOP congressman’s use of campaign funds. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election in the wake of a House ethics report. Santos expressed his frustration with the Ethics Committee, stating that their biased report was a “disgusting politicized smear” and a “grave miscarriage of justice.” He criticized the federal government’s decline in ethics and called for an Article V Constitutional Convention.
The House Ethics Committee, chaired by Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., plans to file a motion to expel Santos on Friday. The committee released a damning 56-page report accusing Santos of using campaign funds for personal purposes, engaging in fraudulent conduct, and filing false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission. This report was unanimously agreed upon by a bipartisan subcommittee.
Among the allegations, Santos is accused of wiring $50,000 of campaign donations to his personal account and using the funds for personal expenses such as paying down credit card bills, shopping at luxury stores like Hermes and Sephora, and subscribing to websites like OnlyFans. Santos vehemently denies these allegations and claims he is being targeted for his conservative values.
Santos, who flipped a Democratic House seat in the 2022 midterm elections, has faced scrutiny for lying on his resume about his Jewish heritage, business experience on Wall Street, and college attendance. Despite calls from his own party to resign, Santos has refused to step down. Federal prosecutors have also charged him in multiple fraud schemes, including identity theft and unauthorized charges on his donors’ credit cards.
In his statement, Santos expressed his disappointment with the current state of politics, criticizing Congress for focusing on attacking their political enemies rather than addressing critical issues such as the national debt, border security, and alleged corruption in the current administration.
While Santos will continue to serve his constituents until the end of his term, he has decided not to seek re-election in 2024, citing the negative impact on his family due to constant press scrutiny.
The article concludes with acknowledgments to Liz Elkind for contributing to the report and mentions that Danielle Wallace is a reporter for FOX News, covering politics, crime, and police matters. Contact information is provided for story tips and updates on the 2024 campaign trail.
Overall, the article highlights the controversy surrounding Rep. George Santos and the House Ethics Committee’s findings against him. It emphasizes his decision not to seek re-election and his strong denial of the allegations made against him. The article provides a balanced perspective by including statements from Santos, the Ethics Committee, and acknowledging federal prosecutors’ charges.
