Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: Will be seeing land action in Venezuela soon
Trump: first question to Xi will be fentanyl
Trump on reports of B1 bombers near Venezuela: Reports are not accurate
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The death toll from the airstrike that targeted the town of Arabsalim in South Lebanon has risen to two, in addition to four injuries
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Arabsalim
Putin on new sanctions against Russia: Russia's energy sector remains confident, though some losses are expected
Putin calls talk of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv an attempt at escalation
Putin says he discussed with Trump the impact of the situation with Russian oil supplies on global prices, including in the United States
Dialogue is always better than confrontation, disputes, or continued war: Putin
The global energy balance has been established, and disrupting it is not in the interests of the countries attempting to do so: Putin

FBI investigating Santos for stealing $3,000 from homeless veteran

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Feb 2023 08:38
4 Min Read

The FBI is investigating Rep. George Santos for allegedly stealing a homeless veteran's GoFundMe campaign funds.

  • x
  • Rep. George Santos in Washington. (Getty Images)
    Rep. George Santos in Washington. (Getty Images)

Reports revealed on Thursday that a GoFundMe campaign raised $3,000 for life-saving surgery for a dying assistance dog owned by a handicapped homeless US Navy veteran, but the funds were never delivered to the Navy vet. After that, Santos stopped replying to his texts.

The FBI has opened an inquiry against controversial Rep. George Santos over his suspected role in the fundraising scheme.

Last week, Richard Osthoff told the media that Santos, who is already embroiled in a slew of scandals, helped him gather funds to save his dying service dog using GoFundMe in 2016. Osthoff, who was homeless at the time, claimed Santos went by the alias "Anthony Devolder."

He had allegedly set up and raised about $3,000 for the veteran’s service dog, named Sapphire, who had developed a tumor in 2015. However, speculations suggest that Santos took off with the funds and ghosted the veteran.

Sapphire died about six months after Osthoff's last correspondence with Santos.

Since then, Osthoff handed over text messages between him and Santos from 2016 to two FBI agents who are now investigating Santos' role in the scheme. 

He was contacted by the agents on Wednesday on behalf of the US Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York, according to Politico. 

“I’m glad to get the ball rolling with the big-wigs,” Osthoff said in an interview Wednesday. “I was worried that what happened to me was too long ago to be prosecuted.”

Related News

Putin responds to US sanctions, says Hungary summit likely postponed

Amid sanctions, India braces to sharply cut Russian oil imports

Read next: Santos vows to step down if all his 142,000 voters tell him to

Reps. Ritchie Torres and Daniel Goldman applauded the inquiry after calling for a Federal Election Commission investigation into Santos' campaign financing last month, following Santos' admission on the campaign trail that he lied about his degree and employment experience.

In an interview, Torres reported that only US attorneys are capable of moving at the speed that’s necessary. “There’s no one that poses a greater threat in Congress than Santos. It’s undeniable that he’s broken the law. We have to protect Congress from George Santos, who threatens it from within,” Torres added.
 
In a separate interview, Goldman suggested that "a serial liar like Santos" is still walking the halls of the Capitol, adding that it is imperative that the Justice Department move quickly to determine whether an indictment is appropriate or not. 

At least 78% of Santos' constituents in New York now say he should quit. Santos temporarily recused himself from his committee obligations on Tuesday due to the continuing investigations.

Earlier, two sources revealed that Santos was a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years ago, adding to the Republican congressman's pile of secrets. 

His attorney has declined to comment on the current investigation, as Santos has rejected charges that he stole money from the veteran's benefit.

According to Joshua Schiller, a senior trial lawyer, the claims emanating from the GoFundMe scheme may result in a variety of crimes, including wire, mail, and bank fraud. "I believe there is a sense of urgency here because Santos is now in a position to draft laws," Schiller added.

“I can think of examples where the government used a lesser indictment to seize assets and try to cause the defendant to plea to a deal before bringing a second or third indictment on more serious charges, and I bet that is the case here.”

Read next: Rep. Santos debunked on Ukrainian/Jewish origin, admits to lying

  • United States
  • Washington
  • theft
  • George Santos
  • FBI

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT
Politics

US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza peace plan
Politics

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza plan

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate.
Politics

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate

Artist’s rendering of the RADICALS satellite in orbit. (AP)
Technology

Europe firms agree on satellite merger to counter Starlink

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS