Topline
Republican Rep.-Elect George Santos’ claim of being the first openly gay non-incumbent GOP member elected to Congress is the latest detail about his life and career being called into question following a bombshell report in The New York Times this week that suggested he fabricated nearly his entire resume–here is everything he may deceived voters about so far:
Baldwin, N.Y.: Congressman-elect George Devolder Santos during a press conference on November. 9, … [+]
Key Facts
His marriage history: Santos finalized a divorce from a woman 12 days before declaring his candidacy for Congress, a detail he never disclosed to voters, The Daily Beast reported Thursday.
His Jewish heritage: Genealogy reports reviewed by The Forward found that Santos’ maternal grandparents were born in Brazil, casting doubt on his claim that they fled the Holocaust from Ukraine to escape anti-Jewish persecution.
His education: Santos said he graduated from Baruch College in New York in 2010, but a school spokesperson told Forbes it could not find records matching his name, birthdate and graduation year.
His career: A spokesperson for Citibank could not confirm his claim that he worked there to Forbes, nor could Goldman Sachs verify his employment history to the Times.
His ties to the Pulse nightclub shooting: A Times review of obituaries and news reports about the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2010 found that none of the 49 victims appeared to have worked at the various firms Santos owns, despite him having said he “lost four employees” in the shooting.
His charity: The Times was unable to locate tax records to verify his ownership of an animal rescue charity he claimed to own called Friends of Pets United.
His address: A person at the address where Santos is registered to vote and is listed on a political donation he made was not familiar with him, the Times reported.
His real-estate properties: Santos claimed his family owns a real estate portfolio of 13 properties, but the Times could find no records of his properties.
Crucial Quote
“I have my story to tell and it will be told next week. I want to assure everyone that I will address your questions and that I remain committed to deliver the results I campaigned on; Public safety, Inflation, Education & more,” Santos tweeted Thursday.
Chief Critic
Incoming House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffiries (D-N.Y.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday that Santos “appears to be a complete and utter fraud–his whole life story made up. And he’s going to have to answer that question: Did you perpetrate a fraud on the voters of the 3rd Congressional District in New York?”
Key Background
Santos beat Democrat Robert Zimmerman, 54% to 46%, in the November midterm election, flipping the seat held by former Rep. Tom Suozzi. He was one of four Republicans to flip seats in New York and help the GOP gain a slim four-seat majority in the House.
Further Reading
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2022/12/22/george-santos-web-of-apparent-lies-latest-reports-call-republican-congressman-elects-sexuality-and-jewish-heritage-into-question/