Rep. Santos won’t seek reelection after ethics report released

The House Ethics Committee on Thursday said it found substantial evidence that Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., knowingly had his campaign committee file “false or incomplete reports” with the Federal Election Commission. The committee also said it had evidence Santos used campaign funds for personal expenses, some of which included purchases on a pornographic site and from the beauty store Sephora. Santos also allegedly purchased parking, meals, and luxury fashion items.

What has Santos said about these allegations? Santos has pleaded not guilty to all 23 of his federal felony charges. He called the House Ethics Committee report a political smear, but added he would not seek reelection. He has confessed to lying about parts of his background and résumé while campaigning. A vote initiated by fellow New York Republican representatives on the House floor earlier this month failed to expel Santos from the House.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew about Santos surviving the expulsion vote.