The House ethics committee has opened an investigation into the embattled and controversial Republican congressman George Santos, AP News reported.
The freshman Republican lawmaker admitted to lying about his résumé in his campaign to represent part of New York City’s suburbs in Congress’s lower chamber.
The lies and embellishments about his resume and personal life have drawn deep scrutiny.
There have been widespread calls for him to step down.
The investigation appears to be far-reaching. It seeks to determine whether Santos “may have engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign” among other actions, the committee said in a statement.
The panel will also investigate whether Santos “failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House, violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services, and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office,” the statement said.
At the end of January, the Republican congressman George Santos has temporarily withdrawn from two House committees to which he was appointed by party leaders despite a spiraling scandal over his largely made-up résumé, bizarre past behavior, and campaign finance filings.
Santos said he was stepping down because he wanted to serve his district without providing distractions.
Critics would argue Santos has provided plenty of distraction since winning his seat in November.
Found to have largely fabricated his educational and professional résumé, Santos has denied or deflected reports about past conduct including an alleged fraud of a homeless veteran seeking medical care for his dog and appearances as a drag queen in Brazil, where he is also being investigated over alleged use of a stolen checkbook.
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