The US Federal Police (FBI) is investigating allegations that Republican Congressman George Santos raised $3,000 for a dog’s life-saving surgery but never paid for the treatment.
US Navy veteran Richard Osthoff told Politico that two FBI agents contacted him after he spoke publicly about his relationship with Santos in 2016.
Osthoff told the news site that he gave agents text messages that he exchanged with Santos, who at the time responded using the name Anthony Devolder.
Local news site Patch reported last month that Osthoff, now 47, was living in a tent in New Jersey in May 2016 when her pet developed a life-threatening stomach tumor.
A vet put Osthoff in touch with Santos’ pet charity, Friends of Pets United, the military veteran added.
Authorities revealed that the association was not a registered charity, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
According to Osthoff, Santos opened a GoFundMe account and raised $3,000 (about 2,750 euros) for Sapphire’s surgery, but never delivered it. The dog died in 2017.
George Santos refused to answer questions on this matter and also refused to speak this Thursday before the US Congress.
On January 19, however, the Republican wrote on Twitter that the reports that he left a dog to die “are shocking and insane.”
“My work on behalf of animals was a labor of love and hard work. In the last 24 hours I have received photos of dogs that I have helped rescue over the years, along with messages of support,” she stressed.
The congressman has been embroiled in controversy, related to suspicions about campaign financing but also due to false information about his past.
George Santos, elected by New York, announced Tuesday that he will temporarily leave the two congressional committees in which he participated, one day after meeting with the speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.
The issues surrounding George Santos go beyond his misrepresentation to voters, and also relate to whether his campaign in Congress followed the law in reporting to the Federal Election Commission.
There have been lingering questions about irregularities in his campaign committee financial reporting and the source of George Santos’ wealth.
Source: TSF
