New York Republican Rep. George Santos won’t seek re-election in the wake of a House Ethics panel report that found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by the congressman.
Santos said in a post on X that he won’t run for his seat again, following the release of the committee’s report. That report said that his conduct warranted public condemnation.
It said Santos caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission, and used campaign funds for personal purposes, among other charges.
“The funds were used to, among other things: pay down personal credit card bills and other debt; make a $4,127.80 purchase at Hermes; and for smaller purchases at OnlyFans; Sephora; and for meals and for parking,” the report reads. It also said funds were used for a purchase of about $6,000 from Ferragamo, $1,500 for Botox and $800 in cash at a casino ATM.
““The [campaign] funds were used to, among other things: pay down personal credit card bills and other debt; make a $4,127.80 purchase at Hermes; and for smaller purchases at OnlyFans; Sephora; and for meals and for parking.” ”
House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest, a Mississippi Republican, said he will file an expulsion resolution against Santos.
“I will remain steadfast in fighting for my rights and for defending my name in the face of adversity,” Santos wrote in his post. “I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time.”
Earlier this month, lawmakers declined to expel Santos from Congress, with the vote failing to garner a two-thirds majority.
The House could vote on his expulsion as soon as it returns from the Thanksgiving holiday later this month.
Expulsion, the sternest form of punishment, has occurred just five times in the history of the House — three times during the Civil War for disloyalty to the Union and twice after convictions on federal charges, most recently in 2002.
The Associated Press contributed.
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