A newly elected Republican congressman lied about his life story. Now he’s facing real trouble

Long Island prosecutors have opened an investigation into US Rep.-elect George Santos from New York, after revelations surfaced that the now-embattled Republican lied about his heritage, education and professional pedigree in his campaign for office.

But despite doubts about his fitness to hold federal office, Santos has so far shown no sign of abdicating — even though he has publicly admitted to many lies.

“The numerous fabrications and inconsistencies associated with Congressman-Elect Santos are nothing short of surprising,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican.

“Residents of Nassau County and other parts of the third district must have honest​​​​​​​​​​and accountable representatives in Congress,” he said. “No one is above the law and if there is a crime in this county, we will prosecute.”

The Santos campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Republicans have admitted to lying about having Jewish ancestry, Wall Street ancestry and college degrees, but they have yet to address other questions — including sources that look like quick fortunes despite financial problems, including evictions and thousands in back-rent debt.

He is scheduled to be sworn in next Tuesday, when the US House reconvenes. If he takes office, he could face investigations by the House Ethics Committee and the Justice Department.

The New York attorney general’s office has said it is looking into some of the issues it has become aware of.

Republicans are ‘disruptive’

Some Republican colleagues have called on Congress and law enforcement to begin an inquiry. 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.

Other Republicans condemned Santos for his dishonesty, but did not call for him to step down.

“Congressman-Elect George Santos has undermined public trust by making false statements about his background, experience and education, among other issues,” said Joseph Cairo, chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee, which is in the 3rd Congressional District.

Cairo said he “expects more than just an apology,” adding that “the damage that lies have done to so many people, especially those affected by the Holocaust, is profound.”

A litany of lies

The questions grew after The New York Times reviewed the narrative Santos, 34, gave to voters during his successful campaign for the congressional district that spans the northern shores of Long Island and a sliver of Queens.

The Times found records in Brazil that show Santos was the subject of a criminal investigation in 2008 over allegations that he used stolen checks to buy items at a clothing store in the city of Niteroi. At the time, Santos would have been 19. The Times quoted a local prosecutor as saying the case was inactive because Santos never appeared in court.

Santos continues to deny that he is wanted by authorities in South America.

In an interview with the New York Post earlier this week, Santos apologized for his efforts but dismissed it as a “sin” for creating a resume, adding that “we do stupid things in life.”

He admitted lying about working at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, as well as earning a degree in finance and economics from Baruch College in New York.

Beyond the resume, Santos found a life story that has also come into question, including claims that his grandfather “fled Jewish persecution in Ukraine, lived in Belgium, and was again a fugitive during WWII.”

During the campaign, he called himself a “proud American Jew.” He backed away from that claim, saying he had never acknowledged his Jewish heritage, which may have boosted his appeal among the district’s significant Jewish voters.

“I’m Catholic,” he told the Post. “Because I know my mother’s family has a Jewish background, I say that I am ‘Jewish.’

In a statement Tuesday, the Republican Jewish Coalition rejected Santos.

“He lied to us and misrepresented his heritage. In public comments and to us personally before claiming to be Jewish,” said the coalition. “He will not be welcome at any future RJC event.”

Santos lost his first race for Congress in 2020 but successfully ran again this year.

The red flag was missed

In opposition research on Santos, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised several red flags about the Republican’s record — but also accepted some of his claims, including his educational record, as fact. The 87-page dossier seeks to link him to the January 6 uprising at the US Capitol and his support for false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

The report also sought to portray him as a far-right candidate. But buried in the report, the DCCC has raised concerns about its shaky financial status and multiple evictions that have left it thousands of dollars in debt.

Federal campaign records show he loaned the campaign more than $700,000 US, but the source of the money has not been disclosed.

“George Santos is delusional that he thinks voters will trust him after he has been exposed to lie after lie and continues to withhold important information,” said DCCC spokesperson Nebeyatt Betre.

When the Democratic opponent, Robert Zimmerman, also tried to raise the misrepresentations of Santos during the losing campaign, it did not gain much traction.

Zimmerman said Santos is unfit for office and called for his resignation so a special election can be held.