George Santos breaches ethics rules by neglecting to submit annual financial report.
Rep. George Santos (R-NY) Violates House Ethics Rules Again
Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has once again found himself in violation of House ethics rules by failing to file his annual financial report for the last fiscal year. This defies the requirement for members to disclose their earnings and assets, putting him in hot water.
The annual disclosures were originally due on May 15, but Santos requested a 90-day extension, pushing the deadline to Aug. 13. However, as of Wednesday morning, the New York Republican had still not filed his report, according to the House financial disclosure reports database.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Under the Ethics in Government Act, members of the House and Senate are obligated to submit annual financial reports. Failure to do so results in a $200 late filing fee. Santos may be able to apply for a waiver if he can demonstrate “extraordinary circumstances,” although it remains uncertain whether he will pursue this option.
A spokesperson for Santos did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
Legal Troubles and Expulsion Attempt
This violation adds to Santos’ legal troubles, as he was indicted by the Justice Department in May on multiple charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and lying to Congress. Santos has pleaded not guilty and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
In mid-May, House Democrats attempted to expel Santos from office, but their efforts were thwarted when House Republicans motioned to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee. This motion passed with a simple majority, preventing Santos’ expulsion.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) stated that the Ethics Committee would conduct a 60-day review, which expired before Congress adjourned for its annual August recess. The current status of the inquiry remains unclear, as the committee declined to comment on the matter.
Pressure to Resign
Despite surviving the expulsion attempt, Santos has faced calls from several Republicans, including fellow New York freshmen representatives, to resign. These Republicans, who played a crucial role in securing the House majority for the party, believe Santos’ presence is detrimental.
Denouncing the efforts to remove him, Santos has accused Democrats of losing focus on important legislative work. He emphasized that his office is dedicated to serving constituents and crafting impactful legislation.
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