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The U.S. House ethics committee was asked Tuesday to investigate Rep. George Santos, a newly elected Republican from New York who has admitted to lying about his work experience, college education and even his family inheritance, and now faces questions about his campaign financial disclosures.
Two Democrats called for the investigation, saying Santos “failed to maintain the integrity expected of members of the House of Representatives.”
In a letter to the ethics committee, Democratic Reps. Ritchie Torres and Dan Goldman, both from New York, said Santos also failed to file “timely, accurate and complete” financial disclosure reports as required by law. He said the reports made by Santos were “rare and confusing.” He asked the panel to investigate and “take appropriate action as soon as possible.”
Some Democratic leaders say Santos should be kicked out of the House.
A spokeswoman for Santos did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Long Island, NY, prosecutors have opened an investigation into Republican congressman George Santos, after claims that Santos lied about his heritage, education and professional background during his campaign for office.
Santos has admitted to fabricating some aspects of his life story and experience in the run for the House seat that he won in November, helping to give the Republicans a narrow majority. However, the newly elected MP was sworn into office last week along with all other members of the House of Representatives.
Republican leaders refused to act on Santos, whose election helped give him a 222-seat majority in the House. Santos also voted last week in a greedy vote to make House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday the situation was being “handled internally” by Republicans.
“Obviously there’s concern about what we’ve heard,” Scalise said. “So we have to sit down and talk to him about it.”
Admit to ’embellishing’ your resume
Santos admitted two weeks ago that he lied about his work experience and college education during his successful campaign for a seat in the US House.
Santos also said he worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, but neither company could find any verifying records.
In an interview with the New York Post, Santos said: “My sins here decorate my resume. I’m sorry.”
Democrats were scathing in their criticism.
“Kevin McCarthy has George Santos, stop lock and barrel,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, chairman of the House Democrats. “That’s the only reason why he sat down, to give George Santos the ability to vote for Kevin McCarthy. So let’s call this out exactly. There must be consequences.”
It is unclear what the ethics committee’s next step will be. As part of the new House rules package, any member of the public can now file a complaint against a member of parliament. Ethics advocates have warned other new rules will harm staff and committee members.
The committee has yet to be finalized as the Republican House is in the midst of selecting committee chairs, members and setting up a new Congress.
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