George Santos plea: Dems calls for more FEC oversight; GOP distances itself from him

Democrats say George Santos’ political rise and fall, culminating in a guilty plea to criminal charges Monday, shows there should be better oversight of federal campaign-finance laws and more vigorous vetting of candidates’ backgrounds.

Republicans were distancing themselves from a former colleague now unmasked as a serial liar and touting their efforts to expel Santos from Congress.

And good-government groups were renewing their call for a state law that would mandate candidates sign sworn statements affirming the truth of their resume claims.

Santos, 36, rode a red wave on Long Island in 2022 to won an open congressional seat by defeating Democrat Robert Zimmerman by 7 percentage points. His descent began shortly thereafter when The New York Times reported that Santos fabricated parts of his biography and professional history. In December 2023, the House of Representatives expelled him after finding he used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses.

On Monday as part of a plea deal, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud, the use of campaign donors’ credit cards for personal expenses and theft of public money for falsely receiving COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

Zimmerman said the episode shows the need for better staffing at the Federal Elections Commission and more oversight of campaign filings.

"For too long, candidates like Santos have evaded accountability by failing to file their personal finance disclosures on time or at all with the House of Representatives," Zimmerman told Newsday. "In addition, the Federal Election Commission, which receives the reports on campaign fundraising does not have the staff to audit or review the campaign financial reports of the congressional candidates."

He added: "To prevent such deceptions in the future, Congress must implement stringent regulations for congressional candidate reporting by mandating full financial transparency with severe penalties for violations. ... The very integrity of our democracy is at stake."

Jay Jacobs, the state Democratic Party chairman, said he didn’t "want to kick a man when he’s down." But, like Zimmerman, he said the Santos tale shows the need for more vigorous vetting of campaign claims — but sorting out falsehoods these days isn’t just a politics problem.

"It’s a problem with society right now because tech has changed the ways we communicate and it’s open to abuse," Jacobs said. "As for George Santos, it’s case closed. He’s going to pay a penalty. But as far as our electoral process and monitoring who runs and what claims they make, we are all going to have to be a lot more vigorous."

Long Island Republicans had supported Santos as a candidate and celebrated his victory. But they backed away from him amid questions about his veracity and joined the call for his resignation. They echoed that message after Santos pleaded guilty Monday.

"The Nassau County Republican Committee called for George Santos’ resignation from Congress in January of 2023 when it became aware of Mr. Santos’ deceptions and lies, which brought disgrace upon the U.S. House of Representatives," Nassau GOP chairman Joseph Cairo Jr. said in a statement. "The plea agreement in this matter will bring closure to the people of the 3rd Congressional District."

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) distanced himself from Santos and touted his efforts to expel Santos — he filed a motion in October, co-sponsored by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), which initially failed though later the House, following a committee investigation, did expel Santos. In a special election, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) took back the seat for Democrats.

"Infamous fabulist George Santos was brought to justice today for defrauding the members of the public he was elected to represent and Santos’ guilty plea further reinforces the fact that my successful bipartisan campaign to expel him from Congress as punishment for his misdeeds was the correct course of action," D’Esposito said in a statement.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) added: "Of course George Santos pleaded guilty — we knew he was guilty the moment his lies started to unravel. Now, in addition to paying financial restitution, he deserves to go to jail."

Common Cause New York, a watchdog group, said the Santos story should spark lawmakers in Albany to approve a bill that would mandate  candidates sign statements attesting to the truthfulness about their military service, employment history and their residence.

Susan Lerner, the group’s executive director, said the bill would raise the "the accountability bar for candidates and makes it harder for candidates who lack integrity — like Mr. Santos — to trick New York voters."