Rep. George Santos.Photo: Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty
Republican Rep.George Santosannounced on Thursday morning that he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024, putting an expiration date on his short and controversial tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives after flipping the New York seat red in the 2022 midterm elections.
The lengthy post continued, saying, “I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed. I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time.”
Rep. George Santos speaks to media amid a federal fraud investigation.John Nacion/UPI/Shutterstock
Santos — who wasmired in controversyeven before his January swearing-in — entered the national spotlight on a rocky note, as story after story cropped up about himlying about his past, allegations ofrunning fraudulent schemesaccumulated, and a prospective staffer accused him ofmaking unwanted sexual advances.
He eventuallyadmitted to “embellishing” his resumé, but vehemently denied criminal wrongdoing.
As questions about Santos' political rise mounted, many involving his finances, theHouse Ethics Committeeand multiple government agencies launched investigations into his actions to determine whether wrongdoing may have occurred.
A federal investigation resulted in23 criminal chargesagainst Santos alleging a range of fraud-related crimes, including aggravated identity theft, money laundering, wire fraud, theft of public funds, falsifying records, and making material false statements to the U.S. House and Federal Election Commission. Hepleaded not guiltyto all counts.
But in October, Santos' former campaign treasurerpleaded guiltyto a felony charge, and on Tuesday, his former campaign fundraiserpleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Then the final blow for Santos came on Thursday morning, when the House Ethics Committee released its report that summarized a monthslong probe into the first-term congressman.
The committee said it would forward evidence of “uncharged and unlawful conduct” to the Department of Justice, and stated, “George Santos cannot be trusted.”
Tasos Katopodis/Getty
Mississippi Republican Michael Guest, who chairs the House Ethics Committee, isexpected to introduce another expulsion measureon Friday, citing the new evidence as reason for swift punishment.
Unless he is expelled sooner, Santos — who has long refused to resign and previously vowed to power onward withhis 2024 reelection bid— will now vacate the seat for New York’s historically blue-leaning 3rd Congressional District in January 2025.
source: people.com
