Long Island Prosecutor Opens Probe Into Incoming GOP Rep. George Santos After Lying Scandal

Topline

The Nassau County District Attorney’s office in New York has opened a probe into Republican Rep.-elect George Santos after the incoming congressman admitted this week to fabricating parts of his resume, following a string of reports that he lied about his work, family, financial, educational and personal history during his campaign.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“The numerous fabrications and inconsistencies associated with Congressman-Elect Santos are nothing short of stunning,” Donnelly said. No one is above the law and if a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it.”

Key Background

Santos became embroiled in scandal following a bombshell report in The New York Times last week that suggested he lied about nearly his entire resume. While Santos claimed to work for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, the latter told the Times it could not find records of his employment, and Citigroup told Forbes it was unable to verify his history with the company. A spokesman for Baruch College—where Santos said he graduated from in 2010—told Forbes it could not find records matching his name, date of birth or graduation year. The Times reporting also found no evidence to support Santos’ claims that he runs an animal rescue charity, “lost” employees in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and owns multiple real estate properties. The Daily Beast later reported he divorced a woman 12 days before announcing his run for Congress in 2020, and called into question his claim that he is the first gay, non-incumbent GOP representative elected to the House. And a report in The Forward found that his maternal grandparents were both born in Brazil, according to genealogy records, despite his claims that they fled Ukraine during the Holocaust to escape anti-Jewish persecution. After days of silence, Santos admitted to the New York Post on Monday he has not graduated from college, does not own any properties, never worked directly for Citigroup or Goldman Sachs and was raised Catholic. He defended himself, however, by claiming his dealings with the two Wall Street firms was on an intermediary basis, describing his work as making “capital introductions.” As for his “Jewish heritage,” Santos said he actually meant he is “Jew-ish.”

Contra

In a six-tweet thread posted Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) defended Santos and attacked Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic lawmaker who interviewed Santos on Tuesday while filling in for Fox News host Tucker Carlson. “Tulsi says that George’s actions on the House floor are what is most important, but George has not even had the chance to take action for his district on the House floor because he isn’t even sworn in yet,” Greene tweeted.

Further Reading

George Santos Lying Scandal: Here’s What The Incoming New York Congressman Has—And Hasn’t—Admitted To And What Could Happen Next (Forbes)

George Santos’ Web Of Apparent Lies: Latest Reports Call Republican Congressman-Elect’s Sexuality And Jewish Heritage Into Question (Forbes)

Republican Rep.-Elect George Santos May Have Falsified His Employment, Educational, Philanthropic History, Report Finds (Forbes)