Funviralpark R.President-elect George Santos (Republican-New York) has reported a number of unusual expenditures in his campaign filings for the 2022 midterm election cycle.
In a four-month period during the 2022 election cycle, Santos’ campaign paid about $11,000 to a company named Cleaner 123, listing the spending as “apartment rent for staff.” New York Times. The address on the form belongs to a suburban home on Long Island.
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However, one neighbor said Santos himself lived in the house during that time, and two others told the outlet they saw the deputy-elect and his husband frequently come and go from the residence. If found, Santos may have been guilty of violating financial rules that prohibit candidates from using campaign funds for personal expenses.
The payments to Cleaner 123 were just a handful of some unusual payments Santos made during the campaign. New York Times. For example, Santos reportedly spent $40,000 on air travel. This is a much higher amount than would normally be considered for congressional candidates to introduce themselves to local voters.
Additionally, the campaign has over 800 costs listed at $199.99, just one cent below the threshold federal law requires candidates to provide receipts for. Some of these payments were listed as being used for office supplies, Uber fares, restaurants, and more.
A Santos attorney responded to the campaign’s spending in a statement Thursday, admitting that while some money was not spent “wisely”, it was all done legally.
“Campaign costs for staff, including travel, lodging and meals, are the normal costs of an effective campaign,” attorney Joe Murray told the outlet. The suggestion that you were involved is ludicrous.”
It’s not clear if the expenses listed on Santos’ campaign finance return are illegal or simply abnormal. It also remains unclear whether the spending was made for campaign officials or for themselves.
Federal and local prosecutors have released investigations into Santos’ campaign finance. This marks the latest blemish to Santos’ reputation since being elected to Congress.
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Santos was elected to Congress in November, defeating Democratic candidate Robert Zimmerman to represent New York’s 3rd congressional district. But the Republican has been criticized since his win for inconsistencies in his resume, criticized Monday night after admitting to many news outlets that he fabricated details of his professional life. was only strengthened.
His decoration prompted several Democrats and a handful of Republicans to condemn his actions, with many calling for the incoming House of Representatives to resign. He continues to insist on taking office.
