Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty
In a letter sent to their House colleagues on Wednesday, the Republicans who sponsored the resolution acknowledged that an expulsion “would set a precedent,” but said it would be “a positive one.”
The Constitution affords both the House and Senate the power to expel members with a two-thirds vote. Thelast successful House expulsionwas of longtime Democratic Ohio Rep. James Traficant in 2002, after he was convicted on a host of charges including bribery, defrauding the U.S. and filing false tax returns.
Only five U.S. House members have ever been expelled, and 15 U.S. senators — almost all of whom were ousted during the Civil War for supporting the Confederacy. Other federal lawmakers have been subject to expulsion votes, which either failed or forced resignations before being finalized.
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The resolution to oust Santos comes in response to several criminal allegations from the federal government.
In May, Santos wasarrested and indictedon13 criminal countsalleging fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements; in October, prosecutors announced they hadadded 10 new chargesto the indictment, bringing the total number of criminal counts against him to 23.
If Santos is convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
“This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes andbrazen misrepresentations. Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peacein a releaseannouncing the congressman’s May arrest.
Peace continued: “He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives.”
Also in the release, Nassau County District AttorneyAnne T. Donnellysaid that “the defendant’s alleged behavior continued during his second run for Congress when he pocketed campaign contributions and used that money to pay down personal debts and buy designer clothing.”
The freshman congressman also allegedly stole people’s identities and then charged his donors’ credit cards without their authorization, often for personal gain. Additionally, prosecutors allege Santos falsified records, created and submitted false campaign reports that listed non-existent loans, and fabricated and stole campaign contributions.
Rep. George Santos outside his office on Capitol Hill.Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images
Almost immediately after the Republican newcomer was elected to the House in November,his reputation crumbledwhen numerous reports emerged about apparent lies he had told on the campaign trail regarding his past, alleged fraud he had committed over the course of several years and even anallegation of sexual harassment.
Despite themounting controversies— which include dramatically"embellishing" his resume, misleading voters about his heritage, allegedlyscamming a veteran out of $3,000 meant for his dog’s cancer treatment, and allegedlystealing puppies from Amish dog breeders(he vehemently denies the latter two) — Santos has refused to resign from Congress.
In March, Santosfiled paperwork to run for reelectionin 2024. The Democratic congressman who previously represented the New York districtannounced in October that he would challenge Santosto reclaim the seat.
source: people.com
