House Rep.-elect George Santos, who won an open New York seat in November, says he will address questions after Christmas about his biography and financial dealings first raised in a New York Times report this week, reports Roll Call. “I have my story to tell and it will be told next week. I want to assure everyone that I will address your questions and that I remain committed to deliver the results I campaigned on; Public safety, Inflation, Education & more,” he said. His tweet was posted after NY1 reported that the office of Letitia James, the New York state attorney general, was reviewing the allegations against Santos. Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said that Santos needed to answer questions. There could be enough questions about Santos’ resume to challenge his scheduled seating on Jan. 3, though it would seem more likely that an investigation and possible sanction would take place after he takes office.
The Times reported that Santos has been involved in a criminal check fraud case in Brazil and that a charity he has touted in the past may not be legitimate. Much of Santos biography appears to be fabricated, including parts of his educational background that he had confirmed to CQ Roll Call directly during new member orientation. Santos claims to have graduated from Baruch College, an affiliated institution of the City University of New York system, in 2010. Baruch College says there is no such record. New York University could not find a record of Santos as a student. Santos’ candidate biography said he attended the school. Media outlets have reported that Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, where Santos has said he worked, have no record of his employment there. Rep.-elect Dan Goldman, a former federal prosecutor, said the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn should investigate Santos. Goldman, a Democrat, said the allegations against Santos suggest potential false statements to the Federal Election Commission and a conspiracy to defraud the United States.