Checks and Balances Project files FEC complaint against Rep.-Elect George Santos

2022-12-29

The Checks and Balances Project (C&BP) has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission seeking an investigation into the finances of the successful 2022 campaign of Rep.-Elect George Santos, R-N.Y.

Santos’ campaign reported receiving $705,000 in loans from the candidate for the 2022 campaign, but recent reports in the New York Times show no signs that Santos had enough resources to lend his campaign that much money.

That raises the issue that Santos received funds from individuals or organizations in excess of federal campaign donation limits or that he failed to report the source of those donations, which would be a violation of federal campaign law.

Federal campaign finance laws exist to ensure that the public knows the source of money supporting the campaigns of federal candidates in order to help determine if elected officials are serving the interests of their donors, not the people they represent.

C&BP believes accurate reporting of campaign donations is essential to a well-informed electorate. Over the years, C&BP has reported the use of dark money in political campaigns.

Santos admits lying about his resume

Following the Dec. 19 Times report about his false claims about his education and employment history, Santos has given a few interviews in which he acknowledged lying about his education and jobs.

However, he declined to provide details of how he managed to donate so much money to his campaign when his previous financial disclosure form listed an income of only $55,000 a year.

“There is a very real possibility that George Santos committed financial crimes. In 2020, he reported an income of $55,000, yet two years later he’s wealthy enough to contribute $700,000 to his campaign?” Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan told CBS News.

Ray Locker is the executive director for Checks and Balances Project, an investigative watchdog blog holding government officials, lobbyists, and corporate management accountable to the public. Funding for C&BP is provided by Renew American Prosperity and individual donors.