# How was George Santos' resume not an election issue? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 27, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188 "2022-12-27T23:46:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/341 "2023-01-13T02:47:45Z")
This does not bode well for Mr. Santos’ future in politics. Gift link: > **[The Mysterious, Unregistered Fund That Raised Big Money for Santos](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/nyregion/george-santos-donors-fund-raising.html?unlocked_article_code=I1lCcfYrvjpTFEa9SrwXxI4CBYIOpT7HFohpclrisquyNiRPtrZQUkRL2x6sCEY-jBCO159h5B9r8BnG6f9KeXmb74D1nlYWyunY1STAP91u9LznASUl9g4joNo_AXEDRwxnt7mfh57mncRyxhtYuaq1XC8PJXQjgOi9TK7ASpwmhbrSdQr9flaDxFL556HxYzbE9uOgwpjDq-0u8CdrUdQMHvol-j8S5sk1EC5iThL-WQEXGRdVYSdJ00grkkHJ0s6srNpEfou4sQZ4sAtJuyKdqJjVihHfh2U-PqvRwYw0q6bfWEyEYDnnBPILPIt6JNBlwIKa1vdnvOFdCYkzlKXMzRcEUbIPHfsQ5Mo&smid=share-url)** > > A review of records and newly uncovered documents reveals that efforts to elect George Santos may have run afoul of campaign finance rules. From the article: > “I don’t see a record by a committee of that name registered with the F.E.C., and our regulations would be if a political group raises more than $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election, they would be required to register with the F.E.C. within 10 days,” said Christian Hilland, an F.E.C. spokesman. > > The person who solicited the donor said he was asked by Mr. Santos in the weeks leading up to the campaign to approach donors, some of whom had already given the maximum allowed to Mr. Santos’s election campaign, and to help coordinate their donations to RedStone, according to a person familiar with the arrangement who wished to remain anonymous. > > Mr. Santos seems to have played a more direct role in at least one of the solicitation efforts. > > On Thursday, another large donor to Mr. Santos said that he was asked in September to make a sizable donation to a similarly named group, Redstone Action, and was told that other donors had “made six-figure contributions.” and > The second donor, who asked not to be identified, said that he did not give the group any money. In November, the donor said he was solicited again to give to Redstone, now named RedStone Strategies — this time directly by Mr. Santos. I think it’s a race to see which agency indicts him first. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/342 "2023-01-13T02:55:07Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > mean seriously. Do they even care he lied so much? He’s a Republican. He really does stand for their morality and what they believe in. I am thinking he stands for them and what they want. > > Shit…his voters probably admire him for what he has done. Will it cost him a single voter? In his district, yes. The “Jew-ish” thing for one, that is going to cost him with a specific demographic. We all can see that the Republican party in Nassau County and the rest of the NY Republican delegation right now seem to care a lot. Because they know that Santos still in that seat in 2024 is almost certain to cost them the seat – and weaken the other candidates by forcing them to spend two years distancing themselves (or being challenged to and failing). While running a solid qualified real person to start cleaning things up stands a chance, even if I consider the odds are badly against. The Republican Conference in the _House,_ OTOH… he is one of ten precious votes of margin and one sure to vote right down the Freedom Caucus line, and they can’t afford to take the chance on losing that _ **now** _. They’ll take care of 2024 in 2024. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/343 "2023-01-13T03:00:24Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Honest question: > > I have seen many reports of campaign finance rules being broken over the years by numerous politicians on both sides but I honestly cannot bring to mind a single one who was prosecuted for it (civil or criminal). > > It just never seems to go anywhere but I’ll be happy to be corrected on this. A couple recent cases that come to mind are Rep. Jeff Fortenberry who was found guilty last year of charges related to illegal campaign contributions and subsequently resigned from the House. A couple of years ago Rep. Duncan Hunter was found guilty of misuse of campaign funds and received a prison sentence. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/344 "2023-01-13T03:10:58Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > I was able to find one example from 1982 of a U.S. Congressman resigning as a condition of a plea bargain with federal prosecutors: . . . More on Fred Richmond: The New York Times ran an outstanding obituary portraying a man with strengths and weaknesses: > **[Frederick Richmond, 96, Dies; Congressman Undone by Corruption (Published 2020)](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/us/fred-richmond-dead.html)** > > A wealthy House member and a champion of liberal causes as a New York civic leader, he was forced to quit Congress in 1982 in a corruption scandal. Sounds like Richmond did much good — and was an apparent victim of police entrapment of homosexuals. After he resigned and agreed not to run for re-election, as part of the plea deal, he was succeeded by a Republican. This should be allowed in a democracy: > **[Eugene V. Debs, the Five-Time Socialist Candidate for President Who Once...](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/622489/eugene-debs-socialist-who-ran-for-president-from-prison)** > > Eugene Debs was a union leader, a Socialist, and a presidential candidate who ran for office from behind bars. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/345 "2023-01-13T03:24:59Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Yeah, much as we may wish it were otherwise, his district is stuck with him unless he can be removed for cause, and lying about your quals to get elected is _ **not** _ going to be seen as cause for removal under the rules. With such a tiny majority, the GOP will not vote to have him removed for any reason whatsoever. Treason, murder, it doesn’t matter. Okay, maybe being a secret Democrat, but nothing else. It doesn’t matter what they find, or what they accuse him of. All the furor is meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/346 "2023-01-13T04:41:03Z")
Sometimes political acronyms can be tortured things but I like the Stopping Another Non-Truthful Office Seeker Act: > **[Lawmakers Introduce SANTOS Act To Punish Candidates Who Lie About Who They Are](https://news.yahoo.com/lawmakers-introduce-santos-act-punish-181644599.html)** > > The bill, named for mega-liar Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), threatens jail time and fines for congressional hopefuls who knowingly lie on their resumés. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/347 "2023-01-13T10:28:59Z")
There’s [even more financial chicanery and at least seven Republicans want him gone](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iwAMforGFRA). ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/348 "2023-01-13T19:18:53Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > How about “return the diamonds and we’ll knock years off your robbery sentence”? Or the opposite, “If I’m acquitted, do I get my drugs back?” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/349 "2023-01-14T18:55:33Z")
Whenever his name is mentioned, it should be followed with “if that _is_ his real name”. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/350 "2023-01-14T20:33:51Z")
And it just keeps coming. I think surely there can be no more but then there is: > **[Video emerges of George Santos introducing himself as ‘Anthony Devolder’](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/george-santos-video-anthony-devolder-trump-b2262067.html)** > > ‘My name is Anthony Devolder, I’m a New York City resident’ ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/351 "2023-01-14T20:41:13Z")
Could this guy be a _genuine_ example of multiple personality disorder? Has he told the truth about _anything_? Dan ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/352 "2023-01-14T21:13:25Z")
Frankly, I’m starting to get concerned that the constant stream of revelations about Santos’ lies about all matters large and small may be having a perverse effect on holding him accountable. The Republican’s interest at this point is to make as much of a circus of his lies as possible. They want to the keep the public focus on the ludicrous and farcical nature of his lies (e.g. like that he was volleyball star at a college he never attended) rather than that some of his lies have clear criminal implications (e.g. his campaign expenditures). Because the former are much easier to defend against any attempt to expel than the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/353 "2023-01-15T01:04:07Z")
Santos is worth his weight in gold to McCarthy, so I think we’re stuck with him unless something drastic is uncovered. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/354 "2023-01-15T04:22:17Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > And it just keeps coming. I think surely there can be no more but then there is: > > [Video emerges of George Santos introducing himself as ‘Anthony Devolder’ at a pro-Trump LGBTQ event | The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/george-santos-video-anthony-devolder-trump-b2262067.html) Shades of John Barron. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/355 "2023-01-15T04:24:17Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Santos is worth his weight in gold to McCarthy, so I think we’re stuck with him unless something drastic is uncovered. Short of Santos peeling off his human skin and revealing he’s a reptilian, I’m having a hard time thinking of anything that would count as “drastic” at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/356 "2023-01-15T04:37:44Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Short of Santos peeling off his human skin and revealing he’s a reptilian, I’m having a hard time thinking of anything that would count as “drastic” at this point. As the esteemed Mr. McCarthy would no doubt inform you, there are no laws barring a member of another species from holding office. As long as they are over 25, a U.S. citizen (an ‘anchor egg’ hatched in the United States should get you there) and an inhabitant of the state which they represent, he should be good to go. Okay, granted there is some question of his meeting his district residency. But that has nothing to do with whether he is ectothermic or not! ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/357 "2023-01-15T13:21:15Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > As the esteemed Mr. McCarthy would no doubt inform you, there are no laws barring a member of another species from holding office. Ah yes, the well-known case of _Air Bud vs. The United States Government_. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/358 "2023-01-15T15:20:46Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …its an OK sign. And a white power sign… It also means something specific in Brazil and not at all nice. Spoilered… It means, “Fuck You”, or more specifically, “Go get fucked in the Ass”. I learned this quite early on in visit there years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/359 "2023-01-15T16:28:40Z")
We’ll have to wait and see but, FWIW, I just saw this: > **[Santos will be removed from Congress if he broke campaign-finance laws,...](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/santos-be-removed-us-congress-if-he-broke-campaign-finance-laws-comer-2023-01-15/)** > > U.S. Representative George Santos, who lied about much of his resume and life story, will be removed from Congress if found to have broken campaign finance laws, fellow Republican and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188/360 "2023-01-15T16:48:26Z")
Not that hypocrisy is in any way a bar to Republican actions, but when Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was convicted of campaign finance violations, McCarthy said, “I think he had his day in court… I think if he wants to appeal, he could go do that as a private citizen… But I think when someone’s convicted, it’s time to resign.” But this is an easy position for Republicans to take. By the time a criminal case against Santos gets to a verdict, it’s likely that this Congress will already be over or close enough to it that it doesn’t matter. Also, notice the line Comer is taking in the article – “It’s not up to me or any other member of Congress to determine whether he can be kicked out for lying. Now, if he broke campaign finance laws, then he will be removed from Congress.” So, they’re explicitly taking expulsion off the table for anything short of a criminal conviction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-george-santos-resume-not-an-election-issue/977188.md?page=19)