MP George Santos appoints himself treasurer of his campaign

Rep. George Santos (RN.Y.) this week put himself in charge of his current campaign’s purse, despite recently facing federal charges of alleged financial crimes related to his last campaign.

Santos, 34, has listed himself as treasurer in documents filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Friday. He replaced a man named Andrew Olson, a mysterious figure The address given was the same building where Santos’ sister was accused of owing $40,000 in unpaid rent.

Santos said in a statement that Olson had resigned and that he had already found a new treasurer, whose name was not George Santos, but who would reveal that person’s name at a later date.

After his election in November, the newly minted congressman immediately made a name for himself as an accomplished liar for misrepresenting important information about his professional history, education and personal background.

On May 10, he turned himself in to authorities in a Long Island courthouse and pleaded not guilty. The 13 charges against him include wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and lying to the US House of Representatives.

He has declined to resign, claiming he will stand for re-election in 2024.

Prosecutors say Santos spent $25,000 in campaign funds on luxury items on himself in 2022 and that he received $24,000 in emergency pandemic unemployment assistance from New York State while he was in Florida earning six figures earned salary. He is also said to have misrepresented his personal fortune in House filings by millions of dollars.

Nonetheless, Santos defended his decision to manage his campaign’s finances.

“On Friday 19 May I was duly informed of his resignation by my campaign treasurer at the time, Mr Andrew Olson. “I appreciate the work that Andrew and his team have done on the campaign and appreciate his willingness to ensure a smooth transition,” Santos wrote.

“To ensure compliance, I was appointed Treasurer upon my resignation. “A Treasurer must be appointed within ten (10) days of the resignation of the previous Treasurer,” he continued, citing the Campaign Finance Act.

“My intention is to act beyond reproach,” said Santos. “We will continue to target our campaign to professionals with subject matter expertise. I have engaged the professional services of a new treasurer to ensure the campaign is progressing in a compliant manner. The FEC records will reflect the update.”