Scandalous Santos Booted from Congress
A Historic Day for House of Reps
The notorious US Congressman George Santos has bid adieu to the House of Representatives. A historic vote in the House on Friday saw the required majority voting to expel Santos, a first in recent history for a non-convicted member. The House has expelled only six members in its entire existence, and Santos is the first without a previous criminal conviction.
"Forget this place," Santos said to reporters outside the Capitol, addressing the decision. When asked if he would remain as a non-member with special privileges, Santos replied, "Why would I want to stay here?" He argued that the House had set a dangerous precedent with his expulsion.
Ethics Committee's Verdict
Following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee, Santos faced serious allegations in mid-November. The committee's report accused Santos of several misdeeds, including stealing campaign funds, defrauding his donors, and using campaign funds for personal luxury purchases.
Santos tried to deflect some of the blame, but the Ethics Committee was particularly troubled by the politician's dishonesty. They argued that Santos had violated the dignity of his office and brought the House into disrepute with his actions.
After the report was made public, Santos announced his decision not to seek re-election. He immediately rejected the accusations, calling the report a "despicable politicized slander."
Trial in New York
Santos faces several other serious allegations. In a New York trial, he is charged with fraud, theft, and other crimes. The prosecution accuses him of making false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and falsifying documents.
Santos' Invented CV
Santos' political career was marred from the start by allegations of fraud and deception. Arenas of his CV, which he presented to voters in 2022, were later found to be fabricated. He claimed to be a successful businessman on Wall Street, an animal rights activist, and the son of Brazilian immigrants who had fled the Holocaust. However, the "New York Times" concluded that his entire educational background, career, and family history were invented.
Santos admitted to "embellishing" his CV but insisted he was not a liar or a fraud.
The Expulsion Vote
Friday's vote marked the third time Santos' expulsion was considered. Twice before, MPs had voted against expulsion, but the Ethics Committee's investigation report may have swayed some of his supporters to change their minds this time. The vehemence with which Santos claimed his innocence and that he would not seek re-election may have also played a role in the vote.
Relevant Enrichment Data:
George Santos is the first non-convicted member to be expelled from the House of Representatives in recent history, representing a departure from the traditional requirement of a criminal conviction or support for the Confederacy for such action.
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