<p>Former US Representative George Santos on Tuesday (Apr 23) announced that he has decided against returning to Congress. This comes a month after he was expelled from the House after an ethics report on his conduct accused him of converting campaign donations for his use.</p>

<p>Santos, who at the time represented New York's 3rd congressional district, was expelled in December 2023 by a&nbsp;311-114 vote. He was only the sixth member in the chamber's history to be expelled, the first to be kicked out without being convicted of a federal crime.</p>

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<p>He has pleaded not guilty to charges including deceiving Congress about his wealth, stealing from his campaign and obtaining unemployment benefits he didn't deserve.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Withdrawal of Congress bid</strong></h2>

<p>Santos, who was running as an independent candidate for the 1st Congressional District in New York, posted on X, "I have decided to withdraw from my independent run".</p>

<p>As per the news agency AP, Santos' announcement comes after the disgraced congressman's campaign committee reported zero fundraising or expenditures last month (March). This, as per the report, led to speculations that his campaign has failed to get off the ground.</p>

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<p>However, in his X post, Santos said, "I don’t want my run to be portrayed as&nbsp;reprisal against Nick Lalota… Although Nick and I don’t have the same voting record and I remain critical of his abysmal record, I don’t want to split the ticket and be responsible for handing the house to Dems…"&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Staying in this race all but guarantees a victory for the Dems in the race," he added.</p>

<p>Nick LaLota is&nbsp;the GOP primary candidate for the eastern Long Island congressional district or New York's 1st congressional district.</p>

<p>However, Santos, in his post, made clear that the withdrawal is only for "THIS YEAR!".</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨Announcement!<br />
<br />
I have decided to withdraw from my independent run for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NY1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NY1</a>…<br />
<br />
I don’t want my run to be portrayed as reprisal against Nick Lalota… Although Nick and I don’t have the same voting record and I remain critical of his abysmal record, I don’t want to split the…</p>
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrSantosNY/status/1782874597106303425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The future holds countless possibilities, and I am ready willing and able to step up to the plate and go fight for my country at any time," he said.</p>

<p>"I will continue to participate in the public policy discussion and will do my part… I will always strive to stand on the right side of history."</p>

<p>"It's only goodbye for now, I'll be back," he concluded.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former US Representative George Santos on Tuesday (Apr 23) announced that he has decided against returning to Congress. This comes a month after he was expelled from the House after an ethics report on his conduct accused him of converting campaign donations for his use.

Former US Representative George Santos on Tuesday (Apr 23) announced that he has decided against returning to Congress. This comes a month after he was expelled from the House after an ethics report on his conduct accused him of converting campaign donations for his use. Santos, who at the time represented New York's 3rd congressional district, was expelled in December 2023 by a 311-114 vote. He was only the sixth member in the chamber's history to be expelled, the first to be kicked out without being convicted of a federal crime. Also read | Biden vows to hold Trump 'accountable' for his role in restricting abortion rights He has pleaded not guilty to charges including deceiving Congress about his wealth, stealing from his campaign and obtaining unemployment benefits he didn't deserve. Withdrawal of Congress bid Santos, who was running as an independent candidate for the 1st Congressional District in New York, posted on X, "I have decided to withdraw from my independent run". As per the news agency AP, Santos' announcement comes after the disgraced congressman's campaign committee reported zero fundraising or expenditures last month (March). This, as per the report, led to speculations that his campaign has failed to get off the ground. Also read | Amid profit slump and layoffs, Musk says Tesla may start selling humanoid robot 'Optimus' by next year However, in his X post, Santos said, "I don’t want my run to be portrayed as reprisal against Nick Lalota… Although Nick and I don’t have the same voting record and I remain critical of his abysmal record, I don’t want to split the ticket and be responsible for handing the house to Dems…" "Staying in this race all but guarantees a victory for the Dems in the race," he added. Nick LaLota is the GOP primary candidate for the eastern Long Island congressional district or New York's 1st congressional district. However, Santos, in his post, made clear that the withdrawal is only for "THIS YEAR!". 🚨Announcement! I have decided to withdraw from my independent run for #NY1… I don’t want my run to be portrayed as reprisal against Nick Lalota… Although Nick and I don’t have the same voting record and I remain critical of his abysmal record, I don’t want to split the… — George Santos (@MrSantosNY) April 23, 2024 × "The future holds countless possibilities, and I am ready willing and able to step up to the plate and go fight for my country at any time," he said. "I will continue to participate in the public policy discussion and will do my part… I will always strive to stand on the right side of history." "It's only goodbye for now, I'll be back," he concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

George Santos abandons his independent bid for Congress

<p>The US House of Representatives on Friday (Dec 1) voted to expel the embattled Republican Representative George Santos, succeeding in their third attempt to show him the exit door since May.</p>

<p>The proposal to oust him was passed with a 311-114 majority, with at least 105 Congressmen from his own party&nbsp;voting against him and two Democrats voting in favour of him. The resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass.</p>

<h2><strong>Who will replace George Santos now?</strong></h2>

<p>After George Santos’s exit from the House, the biggest question&nbsp;is: Who will replace him in New York’s third congressional district?</p>

<p>New York legally requires holding a special election within 90 days. Now, local leaders from both Democratic and Republican parties will field their candidates to replace Santos in a finely balanced House, where Republicans’ lead over Democrats has now narrowed down to just eight seats.</p>

<h2><strong>Allegations against George Santos: A colourful life</strong></h2>

<p>Friday’s expulsion brought an end to the tumultuous tenure of Santos, which was peppered with scandals and allegations from the word go.</p>

<p>His victory in the 2022 elections came as a big surprise for the Democrats but it quickly turned into an embarrassment for the Republicans as he was found to have exaggerated and embellished his profile to better suit his election campaign.<br />
<br />
Reports said he had not attended New York University or been employed at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as he had claimed during the campaign.<br />
<br />
His claims of Jewish heritage and that his grandparents had fled the Nazis in World War II were also reported to be false.</p>

<p>In May this year, he was also charged with fraud and money laundering. In October, Santos was hit with additional charges for allegedly stealing his campaign donors' identities and racking up thousands of dollars in unauthorised charges on their credit cards, falsifying campaign finance reports, money laundering and more.</p>

<p>In total, he has been booked under 23 federal charges, and has pleaded not guilty to all of them.</p>

<p>The unprecedented charges against a sitting Congressman triggered an Ethics Committee investigation this spring. On November 16, the committee released its detailed 56-page report, which came as the last nail in the coffin for Santos.</p>

<p>The investigation found that Santos had stolen money from his campaign, deceived donors and engaged in fraudulent business dealings.</p>

<p>"While it is not uncommon for Committee investigations to involve multiple allegations and a pattern of misconduct, the sheer scope of the violations at issue here is highly unusual and damning," the report said.</p>

<h2><strong>‘Spent donor money on porn sites’</strong></h2>

<p>The Ethics Committee also found out that he used his campaign money on adult sites such as OnlyFans, and for meals, parking, travel and rent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Santos "sustained all of this through a constant series of lies to his constituents, donors, and staff about his background and experience," the report said, adding that "his misrepresentations and lack of transparency have continued during his tenure in Congress."</p>

<p>According to investigators, Santos also ignored warnings regarding inconsistencies in his campaign’s bookkeeping.<br />
<br />
His campaign's ex-treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty in October to a scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports.</p>

<h2><strong>Controversial past: Santos, the drag queen</strong></h2>

<p>In January this year, a major controversy broke out after it was claimed that Santos had competed as a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years ago.</p>

<p>A 58-year-old Brazilian performer, who uses the drag name Eula Rochard, was quoted as saying by Reuters that she befriended the now-ousted congressman when he was cross-dressing in 2005 at the first gay pride parade in Niteroi, a Rio de Janeiro suburb.</p>

<p>Santos reacted to these reports saying that the claims were “categorically false," adding: "I will not be distracted nor fazed by this."</p>

<h2><strong>Santos&nbsp;continues to defend himself</strong></h2>

<p>Santos says that he will not seek re-election but maintains his innocence. He also accused his fellow lawmakers of rushing to expel him even though he was not convicted in any of the alleged crimes.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indicted Republican lawmaker George Santos expelled from US House</strong></p>

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<p>"It is a predetermined necessity for some members in this body to engage in this smear campaign to destroy me. I will not stand by quietly," he said on the House floor on Thursday. "They want me out of this body. The people of the 3rd District of New York sent me here. If they want me out, they have to go silence those people."</p>

<h2><strong>Earlier attempts to oust him</strong></h2>

<p>The Friday expulsion was the third attempt by House lawmakers to kick out George Santos. However, it was the first attempt after the Ethics Committee report came out two weeks ago.</p>

<p>In May, Santos withstood his first expulsion attempt, when Democrats sought to remove him from Congress after he was first charged. Republicans blocked that effort and instead referred the matter to the Ethics Committee.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-historic-vote-us-lawmakers-expel-scandal-plagued-politician-george-santos-665217"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;WION In a historic vote, US lawmakers expel scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos</strong></a></p>

<p>The efforts to oust him were revived in October after he was hit with fresh charges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed under the Constitution to oust a member, since most Republicans and 31 Democrats withheld support for punishing him as the Ethics Committee investigation was still underway.<br />
<br />
As Santos now stands expelled from the House, his criminal trial is set to begin in September next year.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The US House of Representatives on Friday (Dec 1) voted to expel the embattled Republican Representative George Santos, succeeding in their third attempt to show him the exit door since May.

The US House of Representatives on Friday (Dec 1) voted to expel the embattled Republican Representative George Santos, succeeding in their third attempt to show him the exit door since May. The proposal to oust him was passed with a 311-114 majority, with at least 105 Congressmen from his own party voting against him and two Democrats voting in favour of him. The resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass. Who will replace George Santos now? After George Santos’s exit from the House, the biggest question is: Who will replace him in New York’s third congressional district? New York legally requires holding a special election within 90 days. Now, local leaders from both Democratic and Republican parties will field their candidates to replace Santos in a finely balanced House, where Republicans’ lead over Democrats has now narrowed down to just eight seats. Allegations against George Santos: A colourful life Friday’s expulsion brought an end to the tumultuous tenure of Santos, which was peppered with scandals and allegations from the word go. His victory in the 2022 elections came as a big surprise for the Democrats but it quickly turned into an embarrassment for the Republicans as he was found to have exaggerated and embellished his profile to better suit his election campaign. Reports said he had not attended New York University or been employed at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as he had claimed during the campaign. His claims of Jewish heritage and that his grandparents had fled the Nazis in World War II were also reported to be false. In May this year, he was also charged with fraud and money laundering. In October, Santos was hit with additional charges for allegedly stealing his campaign donors' identities and racking up thousands of dollars in unauthorised charges on their credit cards, falsifying campaign finance reports, money laundering and more. In total, he has been booked under 23 federal charges, and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. The unprecedented charges against a sitting Congressman triggered an Ethics Committee investigation this spring. On November 16, the committee released its detailed 56-page report, which came as the last nail in the coffin for Santos. The investigation found that Santos had stolen money from his campaign, deceived donors and engaged in fraudulent business dealings. "While it is not uncommon for Committee investigations to involve multiple allegations and a pattern of misconduct, the sheer scope of the violations at issue here is highly unusual and damning," the report said. ‘Spent donor money on porn sites’ The Ethics Committee also found out that he used his campaign money on adult sites such as OnlyFans, and for meals, parking, travel and rent. Santos "sustained all of this through a constant series of lies to his constituents, donors, and staff about his background and experience," the report said, adding that "his misrepresentations and lack of transparency have continued during his tenure in Congress." According to investigators, Santos also ignored warnings regarding inconsistencies in his campaign’s bookkeeping. His campaign's ex-treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty in October to a scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports. Controversial past: Santos, the drag queen In January this year, a major controversy broke out after it was claimed that Santos had competed as a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years ago. A 58-year-old Brazilian performer, who uses the drag name Eula Rochard, was quoted as saying by Reuters that she befriended the now-ousted congressman when he was cross-dressing in 2005 at the first gay pride parade in Niteroi, a Rio de Janeiro suburb. Santos reacted to these reports saying that the claims were “categorically false," adding: "I will not be distracted nor fazed by this." Santos continues to defend himself Santos says that he will not seek re-election but maintains his innocence. He also accused his fellow lawmakers of rushing to expel him even though he was not convicted in any of the alleged crimes. Watch: Indicted Republican lawmaker George Santos expelled from US House × "It is a predetermined necessity for some members in this body to engage in this smear campaign to destroy me. I will not stand by quietly," he said on the House floor on Thursday. "They want me out of this body. The people of the 3rd District of New York sent me here. If they want me out, they have to go silence those people." Earlier attempts to oust him The Friday expulsion was the third attempt by House lawmakers to kick out George Santos. However, it was the first attempt after the Ethics Committee report came out two weeks ago. In May, Santos withstood his first expulsion attempt, when Democrats sought to remove him from Congress after he was first charged. Republicans blocked that effort and instead referred the matter to the Ethics Committee. Also read: WION In a historic vote, US lawmakers expel scandal-plagued Congressman George Santos The efforts to oust him were revived in October after he was hit with fresh charges. But the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed under the Constitution to oust a member, since most Republicans and 31 Democrats withheld support for punishing him as the Ethics Committee investigation was still underway. As Santos now stands expelled from the House, his criminal trial is set to begin in September next year. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | How George Santos lied his way to Congress and got booted out

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George Santos abandons his independent bid for Congress

Explained | How George Santos lied his way to Congress and got booted out