House Ethics Committee Report Reveals Misuse of Campaign Funds by Rep. George Santos
Washington — A bruising report from the House Ethics Committee on its investigation into GOP Rep. George Santos of New York detailed what congressional investigators said was "substantial evidence" that the embattled congressman tapped into campaign funds to cover his own personal expenses.
The purchases — at luxury retailers, spas, resorts and more — made by Santos while mounting bids for Congress in 2020 and 2022, the first of which was unsuccessful, were uncovered during the course of a review conducted by a four-member investigative subcommittee of the ethics panel into allegations of wrongdoing by the freshman congressman.
The lawmakers' findings were made public by the Ethics Committee on Thursday, prompting swift condemnation of Santos from Republicans and Democrats alike, and adding momentum behind an effort to expel the New York Republican from Congress.
Republican Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, the Ethics Committee chairman, and Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, the top Democrat on the panel, said in a statement that Santos' "conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House."
Congressional investigators have made a significant discovery during their ongoing investigation. They have found strong evidence indicating that Santos has violated federal law. In addition, they have uncovered a complex network of illegal activities involving his campaign, personal finances, and business finances.
It has been alleged that Santos used a company called RedStone Strategies, LLC, which is affiliated with him and based in Florida, to channel campaign donations into his personal bank account. Furthermore, it has been discovered that Santos used a campaign debit card for purchases that did not appear to be related to his campaign.
The following is a list of items that Santos allegedly purchased using campaign donations:
Based on campaign files, bank records, and other documents released by the Ethics Committee, the list of personal expenses covered by donors for his 2020 and 2022 campaigns include:
- A total of $4,127 was spent at the luxury store Hermès.
- A total of $3,911 was spent at the luxury store Louis Vuitton.
- A total of $2,281 was spent at resorts in Atlantic City.
- "Smaller purchases" were made at OnlyFans, a subscription-based website known for adult content, and the makeup store Sephora.
- A total of $1,500 was spent at Mirza Aesthetics, labeled as "Botox."
- A total of $1,400 was spent at Virtual Skin Spa, also labeled as "Botox."
- A total of $3,332 was spent on an AirBnB in early July 2022, while Santos was away at the Hampton's for the weekend, according to his campaign's calendar.
- A total of $6,000 was spent at Ferragamo stores.
- A cash withdrawal of $800 was made from an ATM at a casino in Maryland.
- A cash withdrawal of $1,000 was made from an ATM near Santos' apartment in New York.
- A rent payment was made.
Santos has accused the Ethics Committee of releasing a "biased report" and continues to defend himself from the allegations of wrongdoing. However, Santos announced that he will not be seeking reelection in 2024, stating on a social media site that his "family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time."
"The committee went to extraordinary lengths to smear myself and my legal team about me not being forthcoming (My legal bills suggest otherwise). It is a disgusting politicized smear that shows the depths of how low our federal government has sunk," he wrote on X. "Everyone who participated in this grave miscarriage of justice should all be ashamed of themselves."
