NEW YORK — George Santos claimed victory last month in a historic race for New York’s 3rd congressional district — the first time in the nation’s history that two openly LGBTQ congressional candidates have gone head-to-head.
The Republican is expected to be welcomed into the new Congress along with other first-time Representatives next month, but a fresh look at his qualifications raises some serious questions.
An amazing report from New York Times suggests that much of the Republican’s track record he has shared with the public cannot be corroborated. Representatives of the employers Santos says he worked for and the universities where he said he studied say they have no record of him.
On the eve of the November election, Santos reportedly said he attended New York University and graduated from Baruch College “with a degree in business and finance.” Our sister network NBC 4 received statements from both schools that a search of academic records could not confirm their attendance or completion of degree requirements.
Professional work reportedly led Santos to Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, where he became “a savvy Wall Street financier and investor,” according to the Republican campaign website.
“I cannot confirm Mr. Santos’ employment with Citi,” a company representative told sister network NBC 4.
A similar statement was released by Goldman Sachs, which said it had “no record of its employment”.
Rival political groups have begun calling for the Republican to resign in the wake of reports that Santos would fabricate key qualifications in his House race.
“George Santos has lied to voters and is unfit to hold any public office, much less Congress. If he is not required by law to leave office, we are confident NY-3 voters will,” he said. of working families in New York. he said the party in a statement.
Long Island Republican officials asked Santos to clear his name. Calls to the elected congressman and his campaign staff went unanswered.
“Although the issues raised in a Dec. 19 New York Times article are serious, I believe George Santos deserves the opportunity to address the statements detailed in the article, which have been echoed by other news sources,” he said. Joseph Cairo Jr.
“Everyone deserves a chance to ‘clear’ their name in the face of allegations. I am committed to this principle and look forward to the congressman-elect’s responses to the news,” added Cairo.
