Scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has been referred to the Justice Department for criminal investigation by the House Ethics Committee in a blistering final report released on Thursday.
Among the findings of the report are that Santos knowingly had false campaign reports filed, committed fraud, and used campaign funds for personal benefit.
"The ISC determined there was substantial evidence of violations of federal law, House Rules, and other applicable standards related to many of the allegations charged in the indictment, and substantial evidence of additional uncharged unlawful and unethical conduct," said the report, adding that Santos "was an active and knowing participant in a scheme to falsely report personal loans during his 2022 campaign" and that systematic errors in his campaign finance reporting were "part of an overall scheme to avoid transparency about his campaign’s finances."
The report also determined that, "Far from 'fully cooperating,' the false or misleading submissions from his counsel, as well as the substantial delays to the ISC’s investigation, show that Representative Santos has not been acting in accordance with his duty of diligence and candor. His conduct in this investigation is therefore not consistent with the requirement that Members act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House and adhere to both the spirit and the letter of the Rules."
ALSO READ: Sudden sunlight: GOP House hopeful reveals personal finances after Raw Story investigation
Ultimately, the report punted on formally recommending Santos' expulsion, but that was largely for procedural reasons, and the report strongly implies the behavior is worthy of punishment.
Santos, who came under investigation last year following reports he had lied about virtually all aspects of his personal background, is already under federal indictment for fraud, with prosecutors alleging he used deception to get campaign donations, stole unemployment insurance money, and even harvested donors' credit card information to use for personal expenses.
Following the report's release, Santos told Semafor that he would not seek re-election.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) said in a statement that he wants Santos out of Congress sooner and, "upon returning to Washington following the Thanksgiving break, I intend to file a motion to expel Santos from Congress once and for all. It is time for the people of NY-03 to have real representation, and that starts with the immediate removal of George Santos.”
Santos has remained adamant that he has done nothing wrong and will not voluntarily resign from Congress. However, a number of lawmakers, including Republicans from his home state, are pushing for his expulsion.
In a Thursday morning post on X, Santos wrote: "If there was a single ounce of ETHICS in the "Ethics committee", they would have not released this biased report. 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. Everyone who participated in this grave miscarriage of Justice should all be ashamed of themselves."
Santos added: "I will 100% continue to maintain my commitment to my conservative values in my remaining time in Congress."
