George Santos, the congressman elect of New York, put an end to the rumors about him on Monday after acknowledging that he lied about his education and work experience during his election campaign, the New York Post reported.
The 34-year-old republican congressman explained that he did not work "directly" for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, but rather for a company that had business dealings with the two big financiers. Santos said that the lie was actually a "poor choice of words."
However, he admitted to being embarrassed about lying about getting a degree from Baruch in 2010 despite never having graduated from college.
"I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume," he said.
Republican Representative-Elect George Santos has admitted he fabricated his past. He told the New York Post, “My sins here are embellishing my resume. I’m sorry. I am not a criminal. We do stupid things in life.” He intends to serve his term in Congress. pic.twitter.com/51v1VgdVYL
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 27, 2022
Catholic and homosexual
In addition to details about his education and professional experience, some concerns were raised about the congressman's religion and sexual orientation.
"I never claimed to be Jewish. I am a Catholic," he stated, adding that he has Jewish background on his maternal side of the family.
He also stated that he is a happily married gay man and that the fact that he was married to a woman in the past does not imply that he lied about his sexual orientation.
"I dated women in the past. I married a woman. It’s personal stuff (...) People change. I’m one of those people who change," he said.
He does not own 13 properties
The congressman should also have clarified the statement he made about the dozens of properties he allegedly owned.
Santos explained that he does not actually have a home in his own name and currently resides at his sister's house in Huntington.
He will serve his term in Congress
Despite the controversy over this issue, the congressman elect affirmed that he is not a criminal and that he will not allow this controversy to prevent him from "having a good legislative success."
"I will be effective. I will be good," he assured.
Thank you, #NY03. pic.twitter.com/bA7jKPlDun
— George Santos (@Santos4Congress) November 9, 2022
Santos implied that his campaign was not about him but about the concerns of the people and that this is precisely what he will focus on.
"I intend to deliver on the promises I made during the campaign — fighting crime, fighting to lower inflation, improving education. The people elected me to fight for them," he said.
