Ethics panel finds ‘substantial evidence’ of lawbreaking by Rep. George Santos

(16 Nov 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Washington – 11 October 2023 1. Republican Congressman George Santos outside a House Republican closed-door caucus POOL ARCHIVE: Washington – 3 January 2023 2. Santos sitting while attending the House GOP leadership vote ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Central Islip, New York – 27 October 2023 3. George Santos exits federal court after pleading not guilty to a revised indictment and blows a kiss to demonstrators calling on him to resign ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Washington – 13 October 2023 4. Santos walking and talking to the press ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Washington – 11 October 2023 5. Santos outside a House Republican closed-door caucus ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Central Islip, New York — 30 June 2023 6. Santos walking out of courthouse and into car STORYLINE: The House Ethics panel said Thursday it has found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos of New York and has referred its findings to the Justice Department. The committee said that Santos’ conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House. Santos has maintained his innocence and refused to resign despite calls from many of his colleagues to do so. The panel said Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; and engaged in violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to financial disclosure statements filed with the House. The ethics panel’s report also detailed Santos’ lack of cooperation with its investigation and how he “evaded” straightforward requests for information. The information that he did provide, according to the committee, “included material misstatements that further advanced falsehoods he made during his 2022 campaign.” The report says that an investigative subcommittee decided to forgo bringing formal charges because it would have resulted in a “lengthy trial-like public adjudication and sanctions hearing” that only would have given Santos “further opportunity to delay any accountability.” The committee decided instead to send the full report to the House. It urges House members “to take any action they deem appropriate and necessary” based on the report. ================================= ========================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their license agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/ youtube/a42f9d294cc540ca8b3964f936ebb6b9