According to unnamed sources cited by CNN, gay Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has been charged by federal prosecutors in a sealed indictment. The specific charges against Santos have not been disclosed, but he is scheduled to appear in New Yorkβs eastern district federal court on Wednesday. When asked about the charges, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told CNN he would examine them before deciding on whether to encourage Santos to resign.
Pattern of Deception
Santos has a history of lying about his personal life, previously admitting to fabricating details about his education, employment, and living arrangements. Other unverified claims include the loss of four employees in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, his mother’s death in the September 11 terrorist attacks, attending the Horace-Mann School, and the legality of his marriage. Additionally, Santos has faced scrutiny for inconsistencies in his accounts of his family’s ancestry and religious affiliations.
Ethics Investigations and Anti-LGBTQ Stances
In March, the House Ethics Committee announced its investigation into whether Santos violated federal conflict of interest laws and engaged in sexual misconduct. He also received a letter from the Federal Election Commission detailing campaign donation violations during his 2022 congressional campaign. In January, the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into his campaign finances. Since joining Congress, Santos has sponsored bills to roll back LGBTQ+ civil rights and ban LGBTQ+ books from schools. He has also made public statements against transgender individuals and LGBTQ+ families.