The Home Ethics Committee has discovered “substantial proof of potential violations of federal felony regulation” by indicted New York Congressman George Santos, and are referring the matter to the Justice Division. Shortly after the panel’s report went public on Thursday, Semafor reported that Santos could be dropping his bid for reelection in 2024.
The committee, comprised of six Home members equally divided between the 2 events, unanimously concluded that Santos “knowingly brought on his marketing campaign committee to file false or incomplete studies with the Federal Election Fee; used marketing campaign funds for private functions; engaged in fraudulent conduct in reference to RedStone Methods LLC; and engaged in realizing and willful violations of the Ethics in Authorities Act because it pertains to his Monetary Disclosure (FD) Statements filed with the Home.”
The ISC report discovered that in a number of situations, Santos moved funds donated to his marketing campaign to his private checking accounts, and used the cash at luxurious retailer Hermès, OnlyFans, Sephora, in addition to for meals, parking, and to repay his bank card payments. His FEC studies included funds for Botox, a luxurious trip within the Hamptons, taxis and resort stays throughout his Las Vegas honeymoon, and spa remedies.
“In gentle of the continuing felony investigation into Consultant Santos, and the ISC’s findings of further uncharged and illegal conduct by Consultant Santos, the ISC beneficial that the Committee instantly refer these allegations to the Division of Justice,” the report learn.
Santos was arrested in Might on fees of wire fraud, cash laundering, and mendacity to Congress. In October, a superseding indictment added further fees associated to an id theft and cash laundering scheme involving his marketing campaign.
The committee didn’t advocate the Home of Representatives expel Santos or self-discipline him in any other case, though it did acknowledge that “Consultant Santos’ conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the workplace, and has introduced extreme discredit upon the Home.”
Santos,, just lately survived a vote for his expulsion within the Home. In Might, Republicans indicated that they might await the Ethics Committee to advocate a plan of action earlier than transferring to sanction Santos. The ball is now of their court docket, however with a slim majority and a historical past of defending their very own, the Home GOP could select merely to attend out his time period.
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