George Santos is 'raising ethical questions' by 'blurring his political and business interests': report

26 July 2023

Although Rep. George Santos (R-New York) is facing 13 criminal charges, the Queens/Long Island congressman is seeking reelection in 2024. And GOP leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-New York), have avoided criticizing him — as Republicans have only a small House majority and need his vote.

Moreover, if Santos resigned and a special election were held, that seat could go to a Democrat.

In an article published by the New York Times on July 26, reporter Grace Ashford cites some examples of Santos trying to use his political connections to fund get-right-quick schemes.

"In the years since Mr. Santos first ran for the House in 2020," Ashford observes, "he has become adept at finding ways to extract money from politics. He founded a political consulting group that he marketed to other Republicans. He sought to profit from the COVID crisis, using campaign connections. And he solicited investments for and from political donors, raising ethical questions."

One example, according to Ashford, involved asking a campaign donor to help a "wealthy Polish citizen" obtain cryptocurrency even though his bank account was frozen.

"The interaction was so strange that the donor said he was uncertain if Mr. Santos and his partners were themselves being conned," Ashford reports. "He asked for more information, but was told to first sign a nondisclosure agreement."

Others examples of the GOP congressman "blurring his political and business interests," according to Ashford, involved a company called Blue Flame Medical and the outfit Red Strategies.

"A referral agreement obtained by The Times shows that Mr. Santos was signed on as a (Blue Flame) consultant with the potential to receive 10 percent of any deal he brought in," Ashford notes. "Mr. Santos separated from the company shortly afterward without arranging any deals, he said through his lawyer. "

Find The New York Times' full report at this link (subscription required).

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