Republican fabulist George Santos officially under ethics investigation

Republican Congressman George Santos is officially under an ethics review in Congress, the House Ethics Committee announced Thursday.

It formed a panel to investigate several charges against him, including allegations about his 2022 congressional campaign and a complaint from a former staffer that Santos attempted to engage in appropriate sexual misconduct.

Santos admitted to lying about his education and work history, but says he has learned his lesson and vowed that in the future “everything goes beyond expectations.” He has also said he will run for re-election in 2024.

The ethics probe comes as even some Republicans have called for Santos to step down.

The investigation will focus on whether Santos’ engaged in unlawful activities related to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on depositions submitted to the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a company that provides fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct against a person seeking employment in his congressional office,” the House Ethics Committee said in a statement.

The New York Republican congressman has stepped down from his committee assignments over concerns about his conduct during the midterm elections, including lying about his work history, education and origins in his campaign biography.

In addition, a watchdog group alleged he committed multiple campaign finance violations and filed a complaint with the FEC, specifically citing questions about his campaign borrowing more than $700,000 despite only having $55,000 in earned income.

Santos, 34, is also accused of masking the true source of his campaign’s funding, misrepresenting his campaign spending and using campaign funds to cover personal expenses.

Santos is also under investigation by the Nassau County, NY, district attorney’s office, and by authorities in Brazil

Derek Myers, a former Santos aide, has accused the congressman of sexual misconduct

And a former staffer, Derek Myers, revealed that he has filed a complaint with the US Capitol Police and the Office of Congressional Ethics alleging that Santos touched his groin, asked him if he was on the Grindr dating app, told him invited home and violated the house wage rules.

Myers said Santos hired him as an assistant on Jan. 25. He said the two were going over letters from voters when Santos asked Myers if he was on the dating app and explained he had a profile.

Myers claims that Santos asked him to move closer after they talked about Grindr, and allegedly started touching his leg before inviting him to karaoke.

The aide said he declined the invitation, but Santos then moved his hand to his “groin area” assuring him that his man was out of town and invited him.

Santos is already under investigation by the Nassau County, New York, district attorney’s office, where his congressional district is in issue. And authorities in Brazil are also trying to revive a 2008 fraud case against him.

A group of Democrats, along with some Republican support, has taken steps to remove Santos from Congress.