House ethics panel opens probe of Santos

A House ethics panel will investigate Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who has admitted to fabricating large swaths of his biography and who has been accused of breaking campaign finance laws.

According to a statement Thursday from House Ethics Committee leaders, its members voted unanimously to establish an investigative subcommittee to look into a litany of claims about the freshman congressman, including about his past business practices, campaign finance expenditures and an allegation of sexual misconduct.

Rep. David Joyce (R- Ohio) will serve as chair of the investigative subcommittee, and Rep. Susan Wild (Pa.) will serve as its ranking Democrat. The other two members of the investigative subcommittee are Reps. John Rutherford (R-fla.) and Glenn Ivey (D-MD.).

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Santos referred to a message posted on the congressman’s verified Twitter account, which said that Santos “is fully cooperating” with the investigation.

Santos, 34, who was elected in November, faces multiple local, state and federal investigations following the reports of falsehoods and fabrications.