History of George Santos in Timeline
George Anthony Devolder Santos is a former American politician who briefly served as the U.S. representative for New York's 3rd congressional district in 2023. His tenure was marked by controversy and ultimately ended with his expulsion from Congress in December 2023.
1985: Santos's Mother Immigrates to the U.S.
Santos's mother, Fátima Devolder, immigrated to Florida in 1985 to work as a migrant worker picking beans.
July 22, 1988: George Santos is Born
George Anthony Devolder Santos was born on July 22, 1988.
1998: Santos's Parents' Marriage Appears to End
Records indicate that Santos's parents' marriage ended in 1998 when his father remarried in Brazil.
1999: Santos's Mother Leaves the United States
According to her 2003 visa application, Santos's mother had not been in the United States since 1999, contradicting Santos's claims about her work and presence in New York during the 9/11 attacks.
June 2001: Santos's Mother Reportedly Living in Brazil
In June 2001, Fatima, George Santos's mother, was reported to be living in Brazil. This contradicts claims made by Santos regarding her presence in the United States during that period.
2003: Discrepancies in Santos's Mother's Visa Application
Santos's mother's 2003 visa application stated she had not been in the United States since 1999, conflicting with Santos's claims about her presence in the country, particularly during the 9/11 attacks.
2005: Citigroup Asset Management Division Sale
In 2005, Citigroup sold its asset management division, conflicting with Santos's later claims of working there during that period.
2005: Santos Allegedly Begins Dressing in Drag
One acquaintance claimed that Santos began dressing in drag in 2005.
2007: Santos Returns From the U.S. with Expensive Dress Materials
Manoel Antiqueira, a drag performer, recalls Santos returning from a 2007 trip to the U.S. with expensive materials for a dress that were not available in Brazil at the time.
2008: Check Fraud Incident in Brazil
In 2008, Santos was involved in a check fraud incident in Brazil, where he forged checks stolen from an individual his mother was caring for to purchase clothing. The incident involved impersonation and fraudulent signatures, ultimately leading to Santos confessing to the theft.
2008: Santos Moves to Brazil
Santos moved to Niterói, Brazil, around 2008 and lived there until 2011.
2008: Allegations of Santos Competing as a Drag Queen in Brazil
Two former acquaintances claimed that Santos competed as a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants in 2008 using the drag name Kitara Ravache.
2009: Illegal Campaign Contribution
In 2009, Rocco Oppedisano, brother of Il Bacco's owner, made an illegal campaign contribution of $500 to George Santos's campaign. Rocco, who is not a U.S. citizen and had his permanent resident status revoked after guns and drugs were seized from his properties in 2009, cannot legally make campaign contributions.
2010: Check Fraud Charges and Evasion of Authorities
Santos faced check fraud charges in Brazil in 2010 stemming from the 2008 incident, but he evaded authorities, leading to the case being archived in 2013 due to his inability to be located.
October 2011: Employment at Dish Network
From October 2011, Santos worked as a customer service representative at a Dish Network call center, overlapping with his claims of employment at Citigroup.
October 2011: Santos Starts Working at Dish Network
Santos began working as a customer service representative at a call center for Dish Network in College Point, Queens, in October 2011.
2011: Living in Brazil During Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark Opening
In 2011, when Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark opened, Santos was living in Brazil, contradicting his claims of being a producer for the musical.
2011: Santos Leaves Brazil
Santos left Brazil in 2011.
2011: Santos Creates Wikipedia Userpage Under Alias with False Claims
In 2011, Santos created a Wikipedia userpage using the alias "Anthony Devolder" and falsely claimed to have acted in popular Disney Channel shows, demonstrating a pattern of creating fictional narratives and assuming false identities from an early stage in his career.
July 2012: Santos Leaves Dish Network
Santos left his role at Dish Network in July 2012.
July 2012: End of Employment at Dish Network
Santos's employment at the Dish Network call center ended in July 2012.
2012: Speculation Surrounding Santos's Marriage
During 2012, there was speculation among Santos's colleagues regarding the nature of his marriage. Some believed it was a strategic move for financial gain, to appease his family, or to aid his wife's immigration status.
2012: Santos Marries a Woman
In 2012 George Santos married a woman, this marriage would later be revealed in December 2022.
May 2013: Filing to Dissolve Marriage
In May 2013, a filing to dissolve George Santos's marriage was submitted but later withdrawn in December of the same year.
December 2013: First Eviction from Queens Property
George Santos was evicted from a shared apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens, in December 2013 due to unpaid rent.
2013: Santos Works for HotelsPro
Sometime after 2013, Santos worked for HotelsPro, a subsidiary of Turkey-headquartered MetGlobal.
2013: Archiving of Check Fraud Case
The check fraud case against Santos in Brazil was archived in 2013 as authorities were unable to locate him, leaving the legal matter unresolved.
2013: Santos Fabricates Journalism and Modeling Careers
In 2013, Santos falsely claimed to have worked as a journalist for a prominent Brazilian media company and as a model for New York Fashion Week, adding to the long list of fabricated career experiences.
2013: Santos Described as American in Brazilian Court
In 2013, a Brazilian court described Santos as American.
2013: Founding of Friends of Pets United
George Santos claimed to have founded and operated Friends of Pets United (FOPU), an animal rescue charity, from 2013 to 2018.
2013: Santos Lives with Male Partners
From 2013 onward, despite being married to a woman, George Santos lived with men he was romantically involved with.
July 2014: Immigration Petition Approval
In July 2014, an immigration petition filed by George Santos on behalf of his wife was approved. This approval suggested that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services considered the marriage to be legitimate.
September 2014: Loan for Moving Expenses
George Santos received a loan from Peter Hamilton in September 2014 for moving expenses.
2014: Roommate Recalls Santos's False NYU Claims
A former roommate from 2014 recalled Santos's false claims of graduating from NYU's business school, highlighting the consistency with which Santos fabricated his academic history.
2014: Evictions and Financial Instability
George Santos faced multiple evictions from rented properties in Queens in 2014 due to unpaid rent, while experiencing fluctuations in his personal finances.
2014: Santos Maintains Friendly Relationship with Ex-Boyfriend
In 2014, George Santos, despite being married to a woman, remained on friendly terms with a former boyfriend, often socializing together.
2014: New Apartment and Relationship Issues
In 2014, Santos leased an apartment in Whitestone, Queens, where he lived with his boyfriend, Pedro Vilarva. However, their relationship deteriorated in 2015 due to Santos's unfulfilled promises of financial stability.
October 2015: Court Order for Loan Repayment
A small claims court judge ordered Santos to repay a $5,000 loan to Peter Hamilton in October 2015.
2015: Relationship Breakdown and Financial Troubles
Pedro Vilarva, Santos's boyfriend at the time, ended their relationship in early 2015 after discovering inconsistencies in Santos's claims about his employment.
January 2016: Unpaid Rent and False Claim of Mugging
In January 2016, George Santos claimed he was mugged while on his way to pay back rent, but police records did not support his claim.
January 2016: Claim of Being Robbed of Rent Settlement Money
In January 2016, Santos claimed to have been robbed of money he was going to give to his former landlady's attorney as a settlement for an eviction claim.
May 2016: GoFundMe for Service Dog Surgery
A GoFundMe page was set up in May 2016 to raise funds for Richard Osthoff's service dog's surgery.
October 2016: Santos Involved in Credit Card Skimming Scheme
In October 2016, George Santos was reportedly involved in an international credit card skimming scheme in Seattle. Evidence linked Santos to Gustavo Ribeiro Trelha, who was arrested for using a card skimmer.
2016: Santos Moves to Orlando, Florida
In early 2016, Santos moved to Orlando, Florida, where HotelsPro was opening an office.
2016: Santos's Mother's Death
Santos's mother passed away in 2016. Santos's account of her death and the events surrounding it have been subject to scrutiny and controversy due to inconsistencies and fabrications.
2016: Pulse Nightclub Shooting
The Pulse nightclub shooting occurred in Orlando in 2016, resulting in the deaths of 49 people. Santos later falsely claimed to have lost employees in this tragic event.
January 2017: Death of Service Dog
The service dog belonging to Richard Osthoff, for which a GoFundMe fundraiser was organized, passed away in January 2017.
March 2017: Fundraiser for Bronx Pet Rescue
George Santos held a fundraiser in March 2017 for a pet rescue operator in the Bronx, but only a small portion of the promised funds was delivered.
September 2017: Lack of Registration and Authorization
In September 2017, George Santos's claimed animal charity, Friends of Pets United (FOPU), was found to lack proper registration and authorization for animal rescue operations.
November 2017: Theft by Deception Charges
George Santos was charged with theft by deception in November 2017 in Pennsylvania after issuing bad checks to an Amish dog breeder.
2017: Third Eviction and Unpaid Rent
A Queens court issued a $12,208 judgment against George Santos in 2017 for unpaid rent.
2017: Fundraiser for Farm Repairs
George Santos organized a fundraiser in 2017 to repair a farm in New Jersey, intended for animal rescue purposes. However, he failed to provide the raised funds to the intended recipient.
2017: Santos Questioned by Secret Service
In 2017, George Santos was interviewed by Secret Service agents in connection with the credit card skimming scheme. Santos voluntarily surrendered two of his cellphones but was not identified as a suspect. The case remains open.
2018: Closure of Friends of Pets United
George Santos's claimed animal rescue charity, Friends of Pets United (FOPU), ceased operations in 2018.
March 2019: LGBTQ Outreach and Trump Support
In March 2019, Santos, identifying as Anthony Devolder, participated in an event organized by the conservative #WalkAway Foundation. This event aimed to encourage members of the LGBTQ community to abandon the Democratic Party. During the event, Santos asserted that he had established a group named United for Trump. He also engaged with Blaire White, a transgender YouTuber, inquiring about her perspective on educating other transgender individuals to resist narratives promoted by the media and Democrats.
July 2019: Santos Leads Counterprotest in Support of Trump
In July 2019, Santos led a counterprotest in Buffalo, New York, against an anti-Trump rally, highlighting his support for Donald Trump.
November 2019: Santos Launches Congressional Campaign
Santos launched his campaign as a Republican for the United States House of Representatives in New York's 3rd congressional district in November 2019.
November 2019: Santos Launches First Congressional Campaign
Santos launched his first campaign for Congress in November 2019.
2019: Santos Fabricates Attendance at Horace Mann School
In 2019, Santos began claiming he attended the prestigious Horace Mann School in the Bronx, a claim that was later debunked by the institution, revealing another instance of fabricated educational credentials.
2019: Santos's Role at LinkBridge Investors
Santos worked for LinkBridge Investors in 2019, with conflicting information about his position and responsibilities.
2019: Formation of Santos' Campaign Committee and Initial Donations
Santos' campaign committee was formed in 2019.
2019: Santos's Marriage Ends
In 2019, George Santos's marriage to a woman ended. This marriage was not widely known until it was reported in December 2022, after Santos had become a public figure.
January 2020: Santos Starts Working at Harbor City Capital
Santos started working for Harbor City Capital, a Florida-based alternative investment firm, in January 2020.
January 2020: Claims of Jewish Heritage
During a January 2020 appearance on Talking GOP, a cable TV show he co-hosted, Santos asserted that his maternal grandfather was raised Jewish, converted to Catholicism prior to the Holocaust, and brought up his children as Catholics. While Santos maintained that he was Catholic and not "trying to claim Jewish heritage," he added, "I believe we are all Jewish, at the end – because Jesus Christ is Jewish. And if you believe in Jesus, and we're all brothers in Christ, I mean". The video resurfaced in early 2023. Santos has also claimed that his maternal grandparents were Jewish Holocaust refugees who escaped from Soviet Ukraine and German-occupied Belgium.
June 2020: Santos Opens Harbor City Capital Office in Manhattan
Santos opened an office for Harbor City Capital in Manhattan in June 2020 during his first run for Congress.
July 2020: Move to Whitestone Residence
Santos and his partner moved to a rowhouse in Whitestone, Queens in July 2020.
October 2020: Claims of Support from Steve Israel
On an October 2020 radio show, Santos claimed that Democratic former congressman Steve Israel offered him support during an event hosted by the Council for a Secure America. Santos alleged that Israel told him, "You're going to be the first Republican I am voting for in my life." Israel refuted this claim, and Santos's name was absent from the event's guest list. Santos rarely mentioned his supposed Jewish ancestry during his 2020 campaign but highlighted it frequently in 2022 when the Democratic candidates vying to replace Suozzi were all Jewish.
October 2020: Claims of Knee Replacements and Brain Tumor Diagnosis
In October 2020, Santos claimed to have undergone double knee replacement surgery and to have been diagnosed with a brain tumor for which he received radiation treatment.
2020: Santos Serves as President of United for Trump
Throughout 2020, Santos served as the president of United for Trump, a New York-based group supporting Trump's re-election campaign.
2020: Santos Repeats Claims of Stolen Election
Throughout 2020, Santos repeatedly claimed that the election, which he lost by a significant margin, was stolen from him.
2020: Santos's Alleged Unemployment Benefits Fraud Begins
Starting mid-2020, George Santos allegedly began fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits while simultaneously earning a significant annual salary. These actions later became part of a 13-count criminal indictment against him.
2020: Discrepancies in Santos' Income Tax Return
Santos' 2020 income tax return showed income from the LLC, despite it being incorporated in 2021, raising questions about financial irregularities.
2020: First Run for Congress
Santos first ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 3rd congressional district in 2020.
2020: Establishment of Rise NY PAC
In late 2020, following Santos's electoral defeat, Rise NY, a political action committee (PAC) linked to him, was established.
2020: Horace Mann School Denies Santos's Attendance Claims
In 2020, the Horace Mann School refuted Santos's claims of attending the institution, stating it had no record of his enrollment. Despite this, Santos persisted in claiming he had briefly attended the school.
2020: False Claim of Charitable Work for Epidermolysis Bullosa
In his 2020 campaign biography, Santos falsely claimed he and his family worked charitably for children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). No one involved with EB charities in the U.S. or Brazil had heard of him or received contributions.
2020: Santos' 2020 Campaign Funding Scrutinized
In 2020, Santos' campaign finance records came under scrutiny after allegations of fraudulent contributions surfaced. Investigations revealed numerous donations linked to nonexistent individuals and addresses, raising serious doubts about the authenticity of his fundraising efforts.
2020: Donor Discovers Unauthorized Contributions to Santos' 2020 Campaign
In 2020, a donor who contributed to Santos' campaign discovered unauthorized charges on their credit card statement, revealing additional donations made to Santos' campaign through WinRed. The total amount of these unauthorized charges, spread across 2021 and 2022, amounted to almost $15,000, some exceeding the allowable limits.
2020: Undisclosed Donations to State Candidates
In 2020, Santos's campaign and PACs made over 20 donations to Republican state candidates. These donations were not reported on his FEC filings, indicating potential campaign finance violations.
2020: Discrepancies in Santos' Campaign Finance Reports
In 2020, Santos's 2020 campaign finance reports revealed discrepancies in both state and federal records. Donations were made to nonexistent entities and exceeded cycle limits, raising concerns about campaign finance violations.
2020: Santos Claims Biracial Heritage
In 2020, Santos presented himself as biracial, claiming his Brazilian father had Angolan roots, a claim that could not be verified.
2020: Santos Falsely Claims MBA and GMAT Score
In 2020, Santos falsely claimed to have obtained an MBA from New York University (NYU) and achieved a high GMAT score, bolstering his fabricated academic credentials with yet another demonstrably false claim. He even boasted about paying off his nonexistent student loans.
2020: Santos's Initial Financial Disclosures Raise Red Flags
In 2020, Santos declared a net worth of $5,000 and claimed his sole income was his Harbor City Capital salary. However, these claims later proved inconsistent with other financial records, marking the beginning of controversies surrounding his finances.
2020: Republicans Assume Vetting and Focus on Local Elections
In 2020, Republican officials assumed Santos had been vetted and focused their efforts on state and local offices, overlooking potential issues with his candidacy.
2020: Relationship with Matheus Gerard
In 2020, George Santos revealed he was living with his partner, Matheus Gerard.
2020: Extradition Warrant
George Santos received an extradition warrant from Pennsylvania to his New York address in 2020, related to the theft by deception charges.
2020: Santos Contests Election Results
Following his defeat in the 2020 election, Santos refused to accept the results, alleging manipulation and initiating fundraising efforts for a recount.
2020: Campaign Spending at Il Bacco
During his 2020 congressional run, George Santos reported spending over $25,000 at Il Bacco, a restaurant popular for New York City Republican events. He also entertained potential clients there.
2020: Santos's False Claims Unchallenged During 2020 Campaign
During his 2020 congressional campaign, Santos's false claims about his education and background went unchallenged, allowing him to perpetuate his fabricated narrative without immediate consequences.
2020: Campaign Finance Violation Concerns
During Santos's 2020 campaign, a consultant raised concerns about potential campaign finance violations, citing Santos's suggestions for circumventing restrictions, such as having donors exceed limits by giving to other PACs that would then donate back to him.
2020: Unnecessary Recount Fund
After the 2020 election, End Citizens United filed an FEC complaint against George Santos's campaign for raising $260,000 as a recount fund despite New York law not allowing candidate-requested recounts. The fund was deemed unnecessary, yet reported expenses for workers to observe the nonexistent recount.
January 6, 2021: Santos Attends "Stop the Steal" Rally and Trump's Save America Rally
On January 6, 2021, Santos attended both the "Stop the Steal" rally and Trump's Save America rally, voicing support for Trump's claims of election fraud.
January 2021: Alleged Vandalism Incident at Whitestone Residence
Santos alleged a vandalism incident occurred at his Whitestone residence in January 2021, which he later used as a reason for leaving the property. However, the landlord did not recall such an incident, and no relevant police reports were found.
April 2021: Santos Accused of Unemployment Benefits Fraud
As part of the May 2023 indictment, George Santos was accused of fraudulently obtaining $24,000 in unemployment benefits from mid-2020 to April 2021 while earning an annual salary of $120,000.
April 2021: Harbor City Capital Continues Paying Santos
Harbor City Capital continued paying Santos until at least April 2021.
May 2021: Dismissal of Charges
The theft by deception charges against George Santos were dismissed in May 2021 after he paid the Amish dog breeder.
May 2021: Santos Incorporates the LLC and Applies for a Business Account
In May 2021, George Santos incorporated an LLC and applied for a business account, making misleading claims about the company's financial performance.
July 2021: Santos Falsely Claims His Mother Died Due to 9/11
In July 2021, Santos falsely claimed that his mother died as a result of the 9/11 attacks, contradicting earlier statements and official records.
July 2021: Strange PAC Loan Transaction
In July 2021, George Santos loaned $25,000 to GADS PAC, which had only $5,000 on hand at the time. The next day, GADS PAC donated the same amount to Lee Zeldin's campaign. By April 2022, GADS PAC repaid Santos in four installments. Experts found this transaction 'extremely strange' for various reasons, including the loan being to a PAC rather than his campaign and establishing a leadership PAC before being elected.
August 2021: Stefanik Endorses Santos
U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik endorsed Santos in August 2021, becoming an early supporter of his political aspirations.
September 2021: Donors Report Unauthorized Contributions to Tina Forte's Campaign
In September 2021, multiple donors reported unauthorized charges on their credit cards after making contributions to Tina Forte's campaign, the Republican challenger to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. These incidents raised concerns about potential financial irregularities within the campaign and its association with WinRed, the online donation platform.
October 2021: Santos Fabricates Story of Mother's 9/11 Experience
In October 2021, Santos falsely recounted his mother's supposed experience during the 9/11 attacks, claiming she was "caught up in the ash cloud" but did not seek relief due to the family's financial stability.
October 2021: Forte's Campaign Filing Amended After Discrepancies Found
In October 2021, Forte's campaign filings were amended after discrepancies were discovered in the reported payments to WinRed. This correction followed complaints about inflated credit card fees, ultimately revealing significantly lower payments than initially reported. Santos' lawyer attributed these errors to Marks, his former campaign treasurer.
November 2021: Suozzi's Decision Opens Up Congressional Seat
Suozzi's announcement in November 2021 that he would not seek re-election created an opportunity for Republicans to gain a congressional seat.
November 2021: Record Expungement
George Santos's record regarding the theft by deception charges was expunged in November 2021.
November 2021: Marriage to Matheus Gerard
George Santos and Matheus Gerard reportedly wed in November 2021.
November 2021: Formation of RedStone Strategies and Payments to Santos
Following controversies surrounding Red Strategies, RedStone Strategies was established in November 2021, with Santos assuming a prominent role. During 2022, RedStone made substantial payments to Santos, some of which he used for personal expenses.
December 2021: Confrontation over Undisclosed Interests
In December 2021, a witness working for the Forte campaign confronted Santos about his undisclosed interest in Red Strategies, highlighting discrepancies in his explanations about his involvement with the firm.
2021: Unauthorized Donations Continue to Surface in Santos' Campaign
Throughout 2021, more instances of unauthorized donations made through WinRed to Santos' campaign came to light, raising serious concerns about the campaign's financial practices and the security of donors' information.
2021: Rise NY's Financial Support for Santos
Throughout 2021, Rise NY, a PAC associated with Santos, provided him with financial assistance, covering expenses such as rent payments and event tickets, raising questions about the nature of their connection.
2021: FEC Investigation
The House Ethics Committee found that neither the 2021 loan nor a $2,000 loan supposedly made by Santos a year later appeared in GADS PAC's bank records. Additionally, none of the $30,000 in repayments to Santos were made. Almost half that amount was given to another New York political committee without reporting to the FEC.
2021: Undisclosed Income Sources for Santos Come to Light
Information about Santos's income sources in 2021, including his Harbor City Capital salary, unemployment benefits, and stock trading profits, surfaced later, revealing inconsistencies with his initial financial disclosures.
2021: Diversion of Funds to Outspoken Middle East
In late 2021, over $55,000 raised by Santos for voter registration efforts was diverted to Outspoken Middle East, an LGBTQ-focused news platform, raising concerns about the intended use of campaign contributions.
2021: Former Campaign Treasurer Admits to Fabricating Donations
In 2021, revelations emerged that Santos' former campaign treasurer, Marks, had fabricated donations from family members to inflate the campaign's financial standing. This scheme aimed to secure financial support from the Republican National Committee (RNC) and deter potential challengers. Consequently, Santos faced indictment for his involvement in these fraudulent activities.
2021: Allegations of Hidden Interests and Financial Mismanagement
In 2021, allegations arose that Santos had recommended a consulting firm, Red Strategies USA, to Tina Forte's campaign without disclosing his own financial stake in the company. Concerns about financial mismanagement within the campaign also surfaced.
2021: Early Campaign Spending on Fundraisers
In 2021, Santos's campaign spent over $5,000 on flights and hotel stays for Republican fundraisers in Washington and West Palm Beach, Florida. These expenses occurred almost two years before the next congressional election, raising questions about their necessity.
2021: Claim of Being Mugged in New York City
In 2021, Santos claimed to have been mugged in New York City, losing his briefcase, watch, and shoes. The location he described is a busy and secure area, and he provided no police report. His description included a racially charged stereotype.
2021: Santos' Financial Discrepancies in 2021
In 2021, Santos claimed over $100,000 in annual income on credit card applications but reported no income and a loss of over $70,000 on his tax return. The loss was attributed to his company, Devolder, losing over $90,000, which didn't match the company's actual finances.
2021: FEC Letters to Santos Campaign
During 2021-22, the FEC wrote over 20 letters to George Santos's campaign regarding issues with disclosure reports. Fourteen letters concerned contributors exceeding the $2,900 per cycle limit and insufficient loan information. Some original reports unlawfully described contributions as anonymous. The campaign responded with amended reports, filing 36 in total for the 10 required periods.
2021: Growing Concerns About Santos' Background
During 2021, reservations emerged among Republicans about Santos' claimed past employment and personal wealth, leading to attempts to verify his background.
2021: Financial Irregularities in Tina Forte's Campaign
During 2021, Tina Forte's campaign, which had connections to Santos through shared associates, exhibited financial irregularities, including questionable payments to RedStone, a firm linked to Santos.
2021: Discrepancies in Santos's Statements about Rise NY Expenditures
During 2021, Santos repeatedly assured donors that contributions to Rise NY were being utilized for building the Republican Party in New York, while funds were actually diverted to Outspoken Middle East, exposing inconsistencies in his claims.
February 2022: Santos' Unreported Personal Spending
In February 2022, Santos spent $1,700 at casinos, $1,500 at a pet store, and smaller amounts on JetBlue, retailers, and Adventureland. These expenses were not reported to the FEC.
March 2022: Claim about Leaving Whitestone Due to Vandalism
Santos claimed to have left the Whitestone residence in March 2022 due to an alleged vandalism incident in January 2021. However, he was registered to vote at that address during his campaigns and didn't appear to live there.
April 2022: Rise NY PAC Activities and Expenditures
In April 2022, Rise NY, a PAC connected to Santos, made payments to RedStone and engaged in various campaign-related activities, including reported voter registration efforts, staff salaries, and expenditures at establishments frequented by Santos.
April 2022: PAC Repayment
Starting in April 2022, GADS PAC, with donations from Santos supporters, repaid him in four installments over two months, effectively using campaign contributors to repay the loan.
May 2022: Santos' Campaign Financial Disclosure Raises Questions
In May 2022, Santos' campaign financial disclosure revealed inconsistencies regarding the LLC's assets, raising further scrutiny about his financial dealings.
July 2022: Dun & Bradstreet Estimates Devolder's Revenue
In July 2022, Dun & Bradstreet estimated Devolder's revenue at less than $50,000.
July 2022: Endorsement of Santos and Involvement in Outspoken
In July 2022, Richard Grenell, a former ambassador and figure involved with Outspoken Middle East, formally endorsed Santos. Grenell's involvement in Outspoken, which received diverted campaign funds from Santos, raises further questions about potential connections and motivations.
July 2022: Joint Fundraiser with Representative Beth Van Duyne
In July 2022, Santos held a fundraiser with Representative Beth Van Duyne. The joint fundraising committee (JFC) raised $11,600, with $2,000 spent on the event. However, Van Duyne's campaign never received its share of the remaining funds.
August 2022: Moving Out of Whitestone Residence and Move to Huntington
Santos moved out of the Whitestone residence in August 2022, leaving damages, but remained registered there. He then moved to a house in Huntington, outside his district, claiming it was his sister's, though she lived elsewhere.
September 2022: Devolder Organization Dissolved
The Devolder Organization, owned by Santos, was dissolved in September 2022 for failing to file annual reports.
September 2022: The North Shore Leader Raises Questions About Santos
In September 2022, The North Shore Leader published an article questioning Santos' employment history, financial disclosures, and claims of wealth.
October 2022: Santos Loans Campaign Funds Amidst Suspicious Transactions
Bank records revealed Santos loaned his campaign $715,000 in October 2022 following significant payments to him and his companies, raising concerns about potential illegal campaign contributions.
October 2022: Inconsistencies and Allegations of Fictitious Loans in Santos's Campaign Finances
In October 2022, a $600,000 loan Santos claimed to have made to his campaign was not listed as a liability on his personal financial forms, and this loan was later alleged to be fictitious by federal prosecutors, further fueling controversies surrounding his financial dealings.
November 2022: Santos Wins Congressional Election
Santos defeated Robert Zimmerman in the November 2022 election, becoming the first LGBT non-incumbent Republican elected to federal office.
November 2022: False Claim about Losing Employees in Pulse Nightclub Shooting
In November 2022, Santos falsely claimed his company lost four employees in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. No connection was found between the victims and any company named in Santos's biography.
November 2022: Election to Congress
George Santos was elected to Congress in November 2022, marking a significant step in his political career.
December 2022: Unpaid Loan
Peter Hamilton stated in December 2022 that Santos had not yet repaid the loan that was ordered by the court in 2015.
December 2022: FEC Notice of Potential Violations
In December 2022, the FEC notified Santos's campaign of potential violations, including unregistered political organization contributions and insufficient disclosures. The campaign was given until January 24, 2023, to correct these issues.
December 2022: Outstanding Rent
In December 2022, George Santos admitted to not paying the rent he owed from a 2017 eviction, claiming to have forgotten about it.
December 2022: Revised Claim about Pulse Nightclub Shooting Victims
In December 2022, Santos changed his story, stating four people who were going to work for his new company in Orlando died in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.
December 2022: Santos Falsely Claims Parents Survived Being at the World Trade Center During 9/11
In December 2022, Santos falsely claimed that his parents were present at the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks and survived, despite evidence contradicting his claims.
December 2022: Santos's Previous Marriage Revealed
In December 2022, reports surfaced about George Santos's previous marriage to a woman from 2012 to 2019, despite his public image as an openly gay man.
December 19, 2022: New York Times Report and Investigation
On December 19, 2022, after Santos's election to Congress but before he assumed office, The New York Times published a report alleging that he had fabricated numerous aspects of his personal history. Santos's lawyer issued a denial of these allegations. Subsequently, on December 22, 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the initiation of an investigation into Santos.
December 21, 2022: Reports of Fabricated Jewish Heritage
On December 21, 2022, reports emerged challenging George Santos's claims of Jewish heritage, stating his maternal grandparents were born in Brazil, not Ukraine or Belgium, as he had previously claimed.
December 26, 2022: Santos Clarifies Jewish Identity
On December 26, 2022, Santos clarified that he never claimed to be Jewish but rather "Jew-ish", based on learning about his maternal family's alleged Jewish background.
December 27, 2022: Republican Jewish Coalition Rejects Santos
On December 27, 2022, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) declared Santos unwelcome at its events, accusing him of deceiving the organization and misrepresenting his Jewish heritage.
2022: Statements on Police Brutality and Abortion
In 2022, Santos made controversial statements labeling police brutality a "made-up concept." Additionally, during a speech at the Whitestone Republican Club in Whitestone, Queens, he characterized abortion as "barbaric" and drew a comparison between abortion and slavery.
2022: Campaign's Lack of Information about Brain Tumor Claim
When asked about his brain tumor claim in 2022, Santos's campaign did not provide details or answer questions, raising further doubts about its validity.
2022: Santos' Campaign Faces Further Scrutiny Over Unauthorized Donations
In 2022, additional cases of donors reporting unauthorized contributions to Santos' campaign surfaced, prompting investigations into the campaign's financial dealings and its use of WinRed for processing donations. The recurring nature of these issues cast a shadow of doubt over the legitimacy of the campaign's funding sources.
2022: False Claim of Being "Halakhically Jewish"
At a meeting of the U.S.-Israel PAC a month before the 2022 election, Santos sought to garner support from pro-Israel activists by falsely claiming to be "halakhically Jewish," according to those present. A co-chair of the organization noted that this claim gave the impression that Santos's mother was Jewish, eliciting amusement from the audience.
2022: Unreported Financial Transfers Involving Santos's Campaign and Associated Entities
During 2022, an examination of bank records revealed numerous unreported financial transfers involving Santos's campaign, Rise NY PAC, and businesses linked to him, suggesting potential financial improprieties.
2022: False Claim about Being a Producer for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
During his 2022 campaign, Santos falsely claimed to be a producer for the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. This claim was refuted by the lead producer and not supported by playbills.
2022: Campaign Spending at Il Bacco
During his 2022 congressional run, George Santos's campaign owed Il Bacco nearly $19,000 for its election night victory party, and included seven instances of spending exactly $199.99.
2022: Frequent References to Jewish Ancestry
In 2022, Santos frequently referred to his Jewish ancestry, particularly when all candidates seeking the Democratic nomination were Jewish.
2022: Payments and Expenditures Related to RedStone Strategies
Throughout 2022, RedStone Strategies, a firm with connections to Santos, made substantial payments to him, some of which he used for a mix of personal expenditures and financial obligations.
2022: Santos' Campaign Debts and Creditors in 2022
In 2022, Santos' campaign accumulated nearly $800,000 in debt, including $630,000 in personal loans from Santos. Creditors included his consulting firm, campaign manager, and lawyers.
2022: Website Revision Removing EB Claim and Vague Charitable Work Description
In 2022, Santos's campaign website was revised to remove the mention of EB and vaguely state that his family's charity work focused on "helping at-risk children and America's veterans."
2022: False Claims about Real Estate Holdings and Citigroup "Partnership"
In 2022, Santos made false claims about owning 13 rental properties and being in "limited partnerships" with Citigroup and Goldman Sachs through a subsequent employer. He later admitted these claims were false.
2022: Calls for Resignation
In 2022, four Republican New York congressmen, along with other freshman Republican members of Congress from New York and Joseph Cairo, the chair of the Nassau County Republican Party, called for Santos to resign. They cited his actions as having "disgraced the House of Representatives."
2022: Elected to Congress
Santos was elected to Congress in 2022, defeating Democrat Robert Zimmerman.
2022: Santos' Amended Financial Reports
In 2022, the House Ethics Committee found that Santos had not filed amended financial reports for 2021 and 2022, despite errors and omissions being brought to his attention.
2022: Santos's Amended 2022 Tax Return Further Complicates His Financial Disclosures
The fact that Santos was amending his 2022 tax return in 2023 introduced additional complexity to his financial situation and raised further concerns about the accuracy and transparency of his financial dealings.
2022: Investigation into FOPU
The Times investigated George Santos's animal rescue charity, Friends of Pets United (FOPU), in 2022, finding limited evidence of its existence and raising questions about its operations.
2022: Datwyler's Previous Role
Thomas Datwyler, listed as Santos's new campaign treasurer in 2023, had previously worked for Josh Mandel's 2022 Senate campaign until replaced due to numerous reporting errors.
2022: False Claims of Employment and SALT Conference Attendance
Santos made false claims about working for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs and attending the SALT Conference in 2022. These claims were later refuted by the companies and conference organizer.
2022: Santos Claims Increased Net Worth with Questionable Assets
Santos claimed a significant increase in his net worth in 2022, attributing it to assets such as a Rio condominium and business interests, but these claims were met with skepticism and contradicted some of his previous statements about owning properties.
2022: Campaign Amended Reports
In early 2022, George Santos's campaign filed amended reports, adjusting various expenses from the end of 2021. Notably, a $60 meal at a Michigan sushi restaurant was re-reported as costing $199.99, along with three other expenses of the same amount on that date. Five Uber and taxi rides increased from $267 total to $445. A further amended report in May 2022 listed no transactions for the date previously recorded.
2022: Campaign Expenditure Anomalies
In 2022, the New York Times reported that George Santos's campaign had over 1,200 separate $199.99 transactions, totaling over $250,000, in its amended report. This raised concerns as federal election regulations require itemization for transactions with a vendor that exceed $200. The Times calculated that the campaign would need to have done business with over 1,800 separate entities for the unitemized transactions to be lawful, yet only 270 were listed. An expert at the Campaign Legal Center deemed the reporting to be erroneous and possibly concealing actual expenses.
January 2023: FEC Complaints Filed
In January 2023, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the FEC alleging that George Santos used campaign funds for personal expenses, concealed the source of $700,000 given to his campaign, and falsified expenditures. End Citizens United and Accountable.US filed additional complaints alleging over $100,000 in excess contributions.
January 2023: Santos's Campaign Finance Controversies
In January 2023, revelations emerged about Santos's campaign finances, including a $50,000 payment to a consultant who impersonated a high-ranking political official and claims of donors being misled by Santos's fabricated background.
January 2023: Fictitious Donations Uncovered in Santos' 2020 Campaign
In January 2023, investigations by Mother Jones revealed a significant number of donations to Santos' 2020 campaign were linked to fictitious names and addresses. These contributions, processed through WinRed, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the funding sources. Notably, several individuals listed as donors denied any involvement, further escalating suspicions surrounding Santos' financial practices.
January 2023: Santos Fabricates Baruch College Volleyball Career
In January 2023, Santos falsely claimed to have been a successful volleyball player at Baruch College, even asserting to have defeated Yale University despite Yale not having a men's varsity volleyball team at the time. This falsehood added to the growing list of Santos's fabricated credentials and experiences.
January 2023: Revival of Fraud Charges
In January 2023, Rio de Janeiro prosecutors announced the revival of fraud charges against George Santos.
January 2023: Ethics Complaint and Inquiry into Santos's Financial Disclosures
In January 2023, House Democrats filed an ethics complaint against Santos concerning his financial disclosures, prompting a formal inquiry by the House Ethics Committee in March, expanding to allegations of sexual misconduct and conflicts of interest.
January 2023: New Campaign Treasurer Listed
In January 2023, George Santos's campaign listed Thomas Datwyler as the new campaign treasurer in amended reports. Datwyler, who had previously worked for Josh Mandel's 2022 Senate campaign, denied involvement and claimed someone else signed his name to the filings.
January 2023: Sworn into Office
George Santos was sworn in as a member of the House in January 2023 amid growing scrutiny over fabrications in his biography.
January 2023: Allegations of Stolen GoFundMe Funds
George Santos was accused in January 2023 of stealing funds donated to a GoFundMe fundraiser intended for a service dog's surgery.
January 21, 2023: SNL Parodies Santos
Saturday Night Live featured Bowen Yang portraying George Santos in its cold open and Weekend Update segments on January 21, 2023.
January 24, 2023: FEC Deadline for Violations Correction
In December 2022, the FEC wrote to Nancy Marks, then Santos's campaign treasurer, about potential violations. The campaign had until January 24, 2023, to correct these by filing an amended report listing all necessary information and actions taken, such as returning excess funds or reallocating them to another candidate or cycle.
January 31, 2023: Withdrawal
Withdrew on January 31, 2023
February 2023: Santos Admits to Lying About Education
In February 2023, Santos confessed to fabricating his educational achievements, attributing his lies to societal expectations and financial constraints. He attempted to deflect blame by suggesting his resume was written by a campaign staffer.
February 2023: National Gun Bill Co-Sponsorship
In February 2023, Santos co-sponsored a bill to designate the "AR-15–style rifle" the National Gun of the United States.
February 2023: Sexual Harassment Complaint Filed Against Santos
In February 2023, Derek Myers, a prospective staffer for Santos, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Santos with the House Ethics Committee. Myers alleged inappropriate touching and an invitation to a karaoke bar while Santos's husband was away. Myers also claimed Santos violated House rules by having him work as a volunteer before his paperwork was processed. Santos denied the allegations.
February 2023: Denial of Financial Involvement
George Santos denied handling the finances of Friends of Pets United (FOPU) in February 2023 despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
February 2023: Santos's Role in Credit Card Scheme Confirmed
In February 2023, Trelha claimed Santos urged him to commit the credit card skimming crime. Trelha alleged that Santos taught him how to operate the skimmer and clone cards.
February 2023: Reports of Santos's Personal Involvement in Rise NY Fundraising
In February 2023, reports emerged detailing Santos's personal involvement in fundraising for Rise NY, including solicitations and deliveries of checks, contradicting claims of his limited association with the PAC.
February 2023: Santos Insists on Falsehoods About His Mother's 9/11 Experience
In a February 2023 interview, Santos doubled down on his false claim that his mother was present at the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks, refusing to acknowledge the evidence contradicting his narrative.
February 2023: Allegations of Unpaid Dog Breeders
The Washington Post reported in February 2023 that George Santos allegedly failed to pay three Amish dog breeders, although no police reports were filed.
March 11, 2023: SNL Parodies Santos Again
Bowen Yang reprised his role as George Santos on the March 11, 2023, cold open of Saturday Night Live, which parodied the red carpet at the 2023 Oscars.
March 12, 2023: Santos Mocked at the Oscars
During the 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, host Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about George Santos being the "last directing team to win an Oscar."
March 2023: Plea Bargain Agreement
In March 2023, prosecutors announced a plea bargain with George Santos regarding the fraud charges.
March 2023: Santos's Involvement in Yacht Sale Raises Ethical Concerns and Triggers Investigations
It was revealed in March 2023 that Santos had brokered a yacht sale the previous October between two of his major campaign donors, prompting investigations into potential campaign finance violations and conflicts of interest.
April 2023: Santos Announces Re-election Bid Despite Lack of Support
Despite facing controversy and a lack of support from state party leaders, Santos announced his intention to seek re-election in 2024.
April 2023: Van Duyne Reports Missing Funds
In April 2023, Representative Beth Van Duyne reported that her campaign had not received its share of the funds raised during the July 2022 joint fundraiser with Santos.
April 2023: Discrepancies in Santos's Financial Records Revealed
Santos's 2020 tax return, dated April 2023, contradicted his earlier financial claims, reporting a significantly higher income than previously disclosed, raising questions about the accuracy of his financial reporting.
May 2023: Settlement of Fraud Charges
George Santos formally settled bad check charges in May 2023 by agreeing to pay a fine and compensation.
May 2023: Santos Claims DNA Evidence of Jewish Ancestry
In May 2023, Santos asserted that DNA tests validated his claims of Jewish ancestry but did not provide any evidence to support this claim.
May 2023: Santos Indicted on Criminal Charges
In May 2023, a grand jury indicted Santos on 13 criminal charges including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements to the House of Representatives.
May 2023: Introduction of Expulsion Resolution
In May 2023, following Santos' indictment on federal charges, House Democrats introduced a resolution to expel him from the House. This resolution required a two-thirds majority vote to pass. The Republican House leadership, obligated to take action on this privileged motion, opted to refer it to the Ethics Committee. After Santos faced additional charges in October, another expulsion resolution was introduced, this time by a group of Republican House freshmen from New York. When Rep. Mike Johnson assumed the speakership, the sponsors pushed for a floor vote on the resolution.
May 2023: Expansion of Ethics Investigation to Include Unemployment Fraud Allegations
In May 2023, the House Ethics Committee's investigation into Santos broadened to encompass allegations of unemployment fraud, leading to the committee seeking cooperation from numerous witnesses through voluntary participation and subpoenas.
May 2023: Santos Appoints New Treasurer Amidst FEC Complaints
In May 2023, following his indictment, Santos took the unusual step of listing himself as campaign treasurer. Shortly after, he appointed Jason D. Boles, known for his work with representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, to the position. This move coincided with allegations of forged signatures and a fictitious treasurer, prompting complaints to the FEC and investigations by the Justice Department.
June 2023: Prosecutors Provide Evidence to Santos's Lawyers
In June 2023, prosecutors turned over 80,000 pages of material to Santos's lawyers as part of the ongoing criminal proceedings against him.
July 2023: Constituent Service Criticism
In July 2023, Roll Call reported that Santos's office was lagging behind those of members from neighboring districts in handling constituent service requests.
July 2023: Santos's Campaign Repays Him Substantial Funds While Claiming New Income Sources
In July 2023, Santos's campaign reported repaying him $85,000 and claimed he was owed an additional $530,000. Santos attributed these funds to a network of wealthy investors he claimed to have worked with after leaving Harbor City Capital, but he provided no evidence to support these claims.
July 2023: Santos' Consulting Firm Accused of Inflating WinRed Fees
In July 2023, allegations surfaced that Red Strategies USA, Santos' consulting firm, had inflated fees charged by WinRed in reports for Tina Forte's campaign. This alleged manipulation involved significantly overstating credit card fees, raising questions about potential financial impropriety.
August 2023: Santos Rejects Plea Deal
In August 2023, George Santos stated he would not consider a plea deal in his ongoing legal case.
August 2023: Downplaying False Claims and Citing Resume Lies
In August 2023, Santos downplayed his numerous false claims related to his job history, claiming he hadn't posted his resume online and that many people lie on resumes.
September 2023: Santos Files Overdue Financial Disclosure Forms
In September 2023, George Santos filed personal financial disclosure forms 20 months past due, revealing discrepancies with his 2020 filings and raising concerns about campaign finances.
October 5, 2023: Guilty Plea and Indictment Related to Campaign Finance Violations
On October 5, 2023, an associate of Santos pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, and Santos himself was indicted five days later on charges of wire fraud connected to the misdirection of campaign funds.
October 7, 2023: Response to Hamas Attack
Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Santos advocated for a heightened security state within the United States, suggesting a comprehensive mapping and inspection of the entire country, even if it meant temporarily adopting a "police state" for a few months.
October 2023: The Daily Beast Investigates Santos' Campaign Finances
In October 2023, The Daily Beast revealed intricate details about the financial dealings of George Santos' campaign. Reports alleged the use of a fictitious treasurer, Olson, who served as a front for Datwyler, a business associate. The campaign's financial activities, including payments to law firm Dickinson Wright, raised suspicions of potential irregularities and hidden transactions.
October 2023: Santos' Campaign Spending and Indictment
In October 2023, an indictment suggested that Santos spent at least $11,000 of campaign funds on luxury items obtained through credit card fraud and identity theft. He allegedly used donors' credit card information without their consent to divert funds to a company he controlled.
October 2023: Santos Indicted for Aggravated Identity Theft and Fraud
In October 2023, a superseding indictment charged Santos with several felonies, including aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, and credit card fraud. These charges stemmed from allegations of unauthorized use of donors' credit cards to make contributions without their consent or knowledge, further escalating the legal troubles surrounding Santos.
October 2023: Santos Insists on Running Despite Expulsion Threat
Despite facing a potential expulsion from the House, Santos remained determined to run for re-election in 2024.
October 2023: Denial of Knowing Osthoff
George Santos denied knowing Richard Osthoff, the owner of the service dog for which a GoFundMe fundraiser was organized, in October 2023, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
October 2023: Claim of Niece's Abduction
In October 2023, Santos claimed his niece was abducted from a playground and later found with two Chinese men, suggesting it was retaliation for his stance against the Chinese Communist Party. Police found no evidence to support this claim.
November 2023: Santos Claims Grandparents Forged Documents in Brazil
In November 2023, Santos alleged that his grandparents, upon migrating to Brazil, falsified documents to conceal their Jewish identity.
November 2023: Santos Reverses Course and Decides Against Re-election
Following the release of a House Ethics Committee report that raised further allegations of fraud, Santos reversed his previous stance and announced that he would not seek re-election in 2024.
November 2023: Report of Unpaid Funeral Expenses
A November 2023 report revealed that the funeral home which handled Santos's mother's funeral in 2016 never received the $6,000 owed for its services, raising questions about Santos's financial dealings and claims of supporting his family.
December 1, 2023: Expelled from the House of Representatives
On December 1, 2023, the House of Representatives voted 311–114 to expel Santos following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the filing of federal criminal charges.
December 4, 2023: Kimmel Features Santos on Cameo
On December 4, 2023, Jimmy Kimmel introduced a new segment on his show featuring videos of George Santos from Cameo. Kimmel had anonymously requested these videos from Santos.
December 2023: Movie About Santos in Development
It was reported in December 2023 that a movie about the life of George Santos was being developed by Frank Rich for HBO Films.
December 2023: Late Show Parodies Santos
In December 2023, "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" aired a parody of George Santos's personalized video offerings, specifically his "Santos Claus" persona.
December 2023: Expelled from Congress
George Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023.
2023: Support for Republican Bills and Response to Indictment
Throughout 2023, Santos consistently voted in favor of key bills backed by the House Republican leadership. Following his indictment in May 2023, the House Republican leadership maintained their stance of not seeking to force Santos's resignation or expulsion from the House. A subsequent attempt by Democrats to compel a vote on an expulsion resolution was thwarted and redirected to the Committee on Ethics.
2023: Santos' Late Filing Fee and Unfiled Reports
As of mid-November 2023, Santos was the only member of Congress who hadn't paid the $200 late fee for his personal financial disclosure for that year. He also hadn't filed amended reports for 2021 and 2022 despite the committee's findings.
2023: Santos's Campaign Receives Low Funds From Unconventional Sources
Throughout 2023, Santos's campaign struggled to raise funds, receiving a low amount for a candidate in his position. The donations he did receive came largely from outside his district and included contributions from individuals with limited financial means and questionable motivations, raising further suspicions about his financial practices.
2023: Trelha Makes Sworn Declaration to FBI
In 2023 Gustavo Ribeiro Trelha, who was arrested in 2017 for using a card skimmer, made a sworn declaration to the FBI implicating Santos as the mastermind behind the operation.
2023: Santos' Post-Expulsion Spending
In 2023, even after being expelled from the House, Santos continued spending campaign money, with a reported $1,300 expense at the Capitol Hill Club on December 4, three days after his expulsion.
2023: Vilarva's Testimony
In 2023, Pedro Vilarva, Santos's ex-boyfriend, revealed that Santos had made false claims about working at Citigroup during their relationship in 2014.
2023: House Ethics Committee Identifies Omissions in Santos's 2022 Financial Disclosure
The House Ethics Committee highlighted omissions in Santos's 2022 financial disclosure forms, noting the absence of information about his Harbor City Capital salary, unemployment benefits, and income from stock trades in 2021.
2023: Proposed Censure Resolution
Later in 2023, House Democrats announced their intention to introduce a resolution to censure Santos. This measure, requiring a simple majority for passage, was presented as a way for Republicans who had informally criticized Santos to take concrete action. Several New York Republicans and Ohio Republican Max Miller expressed their support for the censure vote.
2023: Santos Delays Filing 2023 Financial Disclosure, Risking Penalties
Santos failed to meet the deadline for filing his 2023 financial disclosure and continued to delay it, potentially incurring fines from the House Ethics Committee. He cited the need for consistency with his amended 2022 tax return as justification for the delay, adding to the ongoing saga of his financial controversies.
2023: Speculation and Potential Campaign Finance Violations
In 2023, campaign finance lawyer Brett Kappel speculated that Santos' failure to share funds from the JFC might indicate an attempt to evade campaign contribution limits. Concerns were raised about the JFC's termination reports and the possibility of complaints filed with the FEC.
2023: Resurfacing of Claims
In 2023, a video of Santos from January 2020 resurfaced where he made claims about his Jewish heritage.
2023: Santos' Campaign Reports Debt and Repayments to WinRed
In 2023, Santos' campaign finance report for the last quarter, a period marked by his expulsion from the House, revealed a $16,000 debt to WinRed along with recorded repayments. This disclosure marked the first instance of the campaign acknowledging any financial transactions with the online donation platform, raising questions about the timing and transparency of these dealings.
2023: Opposition to Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, Santos was among the 71 Republicans who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.
2023: Attendance at Trump Rally
In 2023, Santos showed his support for former president Donald Trump by attending a rally of his supporters held outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump was facing arraignment on felony charges related to falsifying business records.
January 2024: Santos's Campaign Continues to Report Controversial Loan Despite Expulsion
Even after Santos's expulsion from the House in January 2024, his campaign finance filings continued to report the $715,000 loan, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny and unanswered questions surrounding his campaign finances.
February 2024: Santos's Payment Dispute with Kimmel
In February 2024, George Santos increased his claim against Jimmy Kimmel to $750,000, alleging that Kimmel underpaid him for the Cameo videos. Santos argued he was unaware that the videos would be used commercially.
February 2024: Criticism of Former Republican Colleagues
In February 2024, following Suozzi's victory in the special election to fill Santos's seat, which further diminished the Republicans' already slim House majority, Santos directed harsh criticism towards his former Republican colleagues who had voted for his expulsion. In a group text, he accused them of prioritizing a "hate-filled campaign" to remove him from Congress over the party's financial well-being and predicted that many of them would face defeat in the 2024 elections due to their actions.
February 2024: Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and Disney
In February 2024, after a series of interactions involving personalized videos, George Santos filed a lawsuit against comedian Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and the Walt Disney Company for $750,000, alleging an intent to ridicule him.
March 22, 2024: Departure from Republican Party
On March 22, 2024, Santos announced his departure from the Republican Party, stating that he could no longer, "in good conscience, affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything." He initially planned to continue his congressional campaign as an independent.
April 2024: Santos' Campaign Finances in April 2024
In April 2024, Santos' 2022 campaign reported no spending or money raised in its FEC filings. The campaign's debts had increased to nearly $800,000, with $630,000 attributed to personal loans from Santos.
April 2024: Santos Revives "Kitara" Drag Persona for Charity
In April 2024, George Santos announced the return of his drag persona, "Kitara", for personalized videos on the Cameo platform. He pledged to donate 20% of the proceeds to charity. However, one of the named charities, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, stated they were not informed of his plans before the announcement.
April 23, 2024: Campaign Withdrawal
On April 23, 2024, Santos dropped out of the congressional race.
May 2024: Santos Seeks Dismissal of Charges
In May 2024, George Santos's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss some of the charges against him, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the scope of the identity theft statute.
2024: Santos Considers Running for Re-election Even if Expelled
Santos considered running for re-election in 2024 even if he were expelled from the House before the election.
2024: Santos Aims for Re-election
Santos announced his intention to seek re-election in 2024.
2024: Expulsion Motion Failure
On November 1, 2024, the expulsion motion against Santos failed to pass the House. The vote was largely along party lines, with most Democrats supporting the expulsion, joined by a small number of Republicans. A contingent of Democrats sided with Republicans in opposing the expulsion. Santos interpreted the outcome as a victory for due process, dismissing the resolution as a politically motivated maneuver by colleagues concerned about their re-election prospects in the upcoming 2024 election.
2024: FEC Informs Santos of 2024 Candidacy
In February, the FEC informed George Santos that due to his campaign raising over $5,000 without outstanding debts, he was deemed a candidate for the 2024 elections. Santos confirmed his candidacy on March 14, 2024.
2024: Santos Announces Candidacy Against LaLota
During the 2024 State of the Union Address, Santos announced his intention to run for the House in New York's 1st congressional district, challenging incumbent Republican Nick LaLota.
2024: Santos Plans Re-election Bid Amidst Legal Troubles
Despite facing a 13-count indictment and mounting controversies, George Santos declared his intention to run for re-election in 2024.
2024: Boles Listed as Treasurer for Santos' 2024 Campaign
In 2024, as Santos declared his candidacy for the Republican primary, Jason D. Boles was officially registered as the treasurer for his campaign.