Topline
A disabled military veteran has accused New York Congressman George Santos (R-N.Y.) of stealing money raised to save his dying service dog, according to a Tuesday report from Patch.com, the latest charge leveled against the freshman lawmaker who admitted to fabricating large swaths of his resume and faces multiple investigations over his finances.
Newly elected Republican Representative George Santos denied taking money raised to save a dying … [+]
Key Facts
Richard Osthoff, a U.S. Navy veteran living in New Jersey, told Patch Santos absconded with $3,000 needed to save his service dog Sapphire from a life-threatening stomach tumor.
When a veterinary clinic told Osthoff the price of Sapphire’s surgery in 2016, it connected him with a man named Anthony Devolder and his pet charity, Friends of Pets United, to help raise money.
Anthony Devolder is a known alias Santos used before entering politics and the lawmaker has previously said he founded Friends of Pets United, though the New York Times reports there are no IRS documents to validate his claim.
Osthoff, as well as New Jersey Marine Corps veteran Michael Boll, who intervened on Osthoff’s behalf, told Patch that Devolder set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money but closed it after it hit the fundraising goal and refused to hand over the money.
Devolder allegedly claimed the dog’s condition was untreatable and did not allow Osthoff to take the funds to other clinics, telling the veteran the funds would be used by the charity to help “other dogs” and ultimately stopped communicating.
Santos denied the allegation and called the story a “fake” in a text to Semafor, adding that he has “no clue who this is.”
Crucial Quote
“I’m starting to feel like I was mined for my family and friends donations,” Osthoff wrote in a text to Devolder in late 2016, months after being put in touch, Patch reported. Two months later, Sapphire died and, having been out of work for over a year, Osthoff said he “had to panhandle” in order to afford the euthanasia and cremation. “It was one of the most degrading things I ever had to do,” he told Patch.
Key Background
The allegation is one of many swirling around the freshman congressman since he was elected. He has admitted to lying about key portions of his resume and life while campaigning and investigations have revealed little evidence to back up many of his other claims. Almost every aspect of his life history has come under close scrutiny and he has been accused of lying about most major areas, including his career, education, marital history and religious beliefs. Investigations into his finances—including by the Justice Department—could pose the biggest threat for Santos, particularly over irregularities stemming from his campaign. Despite scandal after scandal, Santos has dismissed calls to resign and the GOP, who narrowly control the House, have indicated they plan to support him, placing him on two lower-tier committees Tuesday.
Further Reading
Disabled Veteran: George Santos Took $3K From Dying Dog’s GoFundMe (Patch)
George Santos: Everything The Embattled Congressman Has Lied About (Forbes)
George Santos denies swindling a disabled veteran while their dog died of a tumor (Semafor)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/01/18/george-santos-accused-of-pocketing-money-raised-to-save-disabled-veterans-dying-service-dog/