On March 2, the U.S. House Ethics Committee announced it is officially investigating embattled Rep. George Santos as the gay Republican from New York faces multiple legal issues and calls to resign for extensively lying about his resume and biography.
According to a press release from the committee, the investigative panel will determine if Santos “may have engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office,” CNN reported.
“The House Committee on Ethics has opened an investigation, and Congressman George Santos is fully cooperating,” his office’s Twitter account wrote. “There will be no further comment made at this time.” Last month, Santos stated he was “not concerned” about a House ethics probe or about New York constituents asking him to resign.
Apart from lies about his personal life, academic and professional record, a potentially damaging aspect might be scrutiny around Santos’ campaign finances. CNN reported last year that federal prosecutors in New York were looking into issues surrounding Santos’ wealth and loans of more than $700,000 he made to his successful 2022 campaign. Just two years earlier, Santos reported a salary of $55,000 and no assets.