US: Prosecutors to probe false claims of GOP Congressman-elect George Santos

Prosecutors in the United States announced that they are launching investigations into Republican Congressman-elect George Santos over false claims about his life story during his campaign for Congress. The probes also come amidst calls to resign from office following the media reports on claims Santos has made.

This week, the authorities in Long Island, New York, announced that they would be investigating the false claims Santos made about his life story during his bid to run for Congress. Prosecutors will look into the claims to see if Santos, who was elected in Long Island, crossed the line into criminal activity upon making false claims about his employment history, education, finances, and his family history.

“The numerous fabrications and inconsistencies associated with Congressman-elect Santos are nothing short of stunning,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, who is a Republican. “The residents of Nassau County and other parts of Long Island must have an honest and accountable representative in Congress. No one is above the law and if a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it.”

Santos has already faced growing calls to resign following media reports that questioned certain claims he has made. Such claims included being a descendant of Jewish relatives who fled from persecution during World War II. Santos said he does not plan on stepping down and has since downplayed the scrutiny.

Despite refusing to step down, Santos may still be subject to investigations including from the Justice Department. Santos’ fellow Republican congressman-elect Nick Lalota from Long Island also called for the House Ethics Committee to investigate him and, if necessary, with law enforcement.

Meanwhile, the suspect in the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, David DePape, pleaded “not guilty” to the six state charges made against him during a formal arraignment. DePape is charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, first-degree residential burglary, false imprisonment, and threatening a family member of a public official.

DePape is also facing federal charges for the same attack, including one count of assaulting a family member of a US official and one count of attempted kidnapping against a US official. The federal charges carry maximum sentences of 30 and 20 years in prison, respectively.