Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y., is admitting he lied about key aspects of his life and resume. Last week, a New York Times investigation found the Long Island politician’s statements about his career, education and life, were not true.
“Did I embellish my resume? Yes I did and I’m sorry and it shouldn’t be done. Words can’t express 100 percent how I feel. But I am still the same guy, I’m not a fraud, I’m not a cartoon character,” Santos told City and State New York in an interview.
These lies are just coming to light now, but this is actually the second time Santos has ran for Congress.
Here is what he said is true:
- He never graduated from college.
- He never worked for Goldman Sachs or CitiGroup.
- He never owned 13 properties and instead was court ordered to pay $12,000 in back rent to a landlord, which he admits to not doing because he “completely forgot about it.”
A notable admission that is prompting the most criticism is about his religion. Santos is Catholic but told stories about his Jewish grandmother fleeing Nazi Germany for Brazil. The details of that story have also been questioned. Regardless, he is now saying he never claimed he was Jewish, rather he was “Jew-ish.”
“I’m Catholic. But I’m also Jew-ish. As in ‘ish’. And I’ve made that joke because growing up, I grew up fully aware that my grandparents were Jewish and came from a Jewish family and they were refugees to Brazil,” Santos said.
There are also unanswered questions about claims that he established a nonprofit to help rescue animals, but there aren’t any IRS records to back that up.
This House seat in Long Island was a key flip for Republicans and helped them win the majority. Santos said despite the lies, he will be sworn in and take office. He claims he can still be effective and have legislative success.
