Watchdog Files Ethics Complaint Against Rep-Elect Santos

“If the incoming Republican majority is serious about investigations – someone needs to tell them the call is coming from inside the House.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Following explosive reports this week that Representative-Elect George Santos (R-NY) made false biographical claims, filed inaccurate financial disclosures, and failed to disclose his criminal background, government watchdog Accountable.US filed a complaint today with the Office of Congressional Ethics requesting an investigation if Santos is sworn in.

From the complaint:

Thus far, Mr. Santos’ only response to these findings has been a short statement from his attorney attacking the Times without specifically addressing the questions raised about his background in the Times report.

According to the U.S. House of Representatives Rule XXIII Code of Official Conduct, members “shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House” – a provision Mr. Santos fails to meet while questions about his background remain unanswered. Additionally, because Mr. Santos does not appear to have accurately completed his personal financial disclosures, it is unclear if he is violating the Code of Official Conduct’s stipulation that members “may not receive compensation and may not permit compensation to accrue to the beneficial interest of such individual from any source, the receipt of which would occur by virtue of influence improperly exerted from the position of such individual in Congress.” It is also unclear if the criminal charges Mr. Santos faces in Brazil conflict with the Code of Official Conduct.

If Mr. Santos takes office, his reportedly false biographical claims, inaccurate financial disclosures, and undisclosed criminal background will warrant an immediate investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics. He has refused to address these concerns and must be held accountable for his ethical transgressions.

Read the full ethics complaint here.