George Santos snaps at reporter after being grilled for forging signatures

Rep. George Santos of New York snapped Thursday at a reporter who asked him why he listed a man against his will as his campaign treasurer and accused the journalist of “lying to the American people.”

Santos’ campaign on Tuesday updated its campaign financial report submitted to the Federal Electoral Commission, which lists Thomas Datwyler as its treasurer. The deposit was signed with Datwyler’s name.

However, Datwyler’s lawyer Derek Ross said abc news his employer had made it clear that he would not accept the position and the signature was used without consent.

He said: “On Monday we informed the Santos campaign that Mr Datwyler would not be acting as Treasurer.

“It appears that there was a disconnect between this conversation and today’s filings, which we did not authorize.”

news week asked Santos and Datwyler for a comment.

CNN’s Manu Raju on Thursday released a video of Santos refusing to answer questions on the matter while being pursued through a complex on Capitol Hill.

In the clip, he asked, “Mr. Santos, you gave the wrong name of your treasurer, why did you give the wrong name of your treasurer on your campaign finance forms?”

In response, the Republican said, “I’ll have this conversation with you as you become a better, honest reporter. You are a dishonest reporter and you know it.”

Raju continued to question the congressman, including about his claim to have been a “star” volleyball player at Baruch College, which he has since admitted never graduated.

In response, Santos said, “You are lying to the American people.”

Since his election, Santos has admitted to fabricating large parts of his resume, including claims that he and his family owned 13 properties and that he worked at two leading Wall Street companies.

Santos was also accused of lying that he was the “grandson of Holocaust refugees” and that he lost his mother in the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The New York congressman is facing calls for his resignation, including from leaders of his local Nassau County Republican party.

At a Jan. 11 news conference, Nassau County GOP Chairman Joseph Cairo said, “He has disgraced the House of Representatives and we do not consider him one of our congressmen.

“His lies weren’t lies. He disgraced the House of Representatives. He is not welcome here at Republican headquarters.”

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has so far refused to act against Santos, arguing he “doesn’t have the power” because his constituents elected him.

However, the Republican leader has hinted that Santos would be removed if he was found to have “broke the law.”

The Campaign Legal Center reported Santos to the Federal Elections Commission in early January, raising concerns about his campaign finances.