George Santos campaign filings include travel expenses and rent payments: Report
Cami Mondeaux
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Rep.-elect George Santos (R-NY) reported a number of unusual expenses on his campaign filings for the 2022 midterm cycle, including some entries that experts say could leave the freshman lawmaker open to further scrutiny.
Over the course of four months during the 2022 election cycle, Santos’s campaign paid nearly $11,000 to a company named Cleaner 123 and listed the expenditures as “apartment rental for staff,” according to campaign filings obtained and reviewed by the New York Times. The address on the form belongs to a suburban house located in Long Island.
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However, one neighbor said Santos himself was living at the home during that time period, with two others telling the outlet they had seen the congressman-elect and his husband frequently coming and going from the residence. If found to be true, Santos could be guilty of violating finance rules that prohibit candidates from using campaign funds for personal expenses.
The payments to Cleaner 123 were just a handful of several unusual payments Santos made throughout his campaign, according to the New York Times. For example, Santos reportedly spent $40,000 on air travel — an amount much higher than what is considered normal for a congressional candidate introducing himself to local voters.
Additionally, there were more than 800 expenses the campaign listed as costing $199.99, putting it exactly one cent below the threshold that federal law requires candidates to provide receipts. Several of these payments were listed as being used for office supplies, Uber charges, and restaurants, among other things.
A lawyer for Santos responded to the campaign expenditures in a statement on Thursday, conceding that although some money was spent “unwisely,” it was all done legally.
“Campaign expenditures for staff members including travel, lodging, and meals are normal expenses of any competent campaign,” attorney Joe Murray told the outlet. “The suggestion that the Santos campaign engaged in any irresponsible spending of campaign funds is just ludicrous.”
It’s not clear whether the expenses listed on Santos’s campaign finance filings are illegal or just simply unusual. It also remains unclear whether the expenditures were made on behalf of campaign workers or for himself.
Both federal and local prosecutors have announced investigations into his campaign finances — marking the latest blemish on Santos’s reputation since being elected to Congress.
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Santos was elected to Congress in November after defeating Democratic candidate Robert Zimmerman to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District. However, the Republican has been under fire since his win due to inconsistencies on his resume, with criticisms only intensifying Monday night after Santos admitted to a number of outlets that he had fabricated details of his professional life.
His embellishments have prompted several Democrats and a handful of Republicans to denounce his actions, with many calling on the congressman-elect to resign. Santos has remained adamant he will assume office on Tuesday when the new Congress is sworn in.
This content was originally published here.
