Santos says not running for second term in 2024, after release of House Ethics report

Rep. George Santos said he is not running for a second term in 2024 after a House Ethics Committee report Thursday found "substantial evidence" that the New York Republican violated the law.

"At nearly every opportunity, he placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles," the report states.

Santos responded to the report in a post on X, formerly Twitter, by admitting to having "flaws," but said he "will not stand by as I am stoned by those who have flaws themselves." 

He also said: "I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time."

"Santos’ lies go far beyond inaccuracies on a resume," the subcommittee investigating the congressman wrote in the report, referring to how Santos admitted to "embellishing" his resume.

Santos "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit," the report states.

He also "blatantly stole from his campaign," "deceived donors," "reported fictitious loans to his political committees to induce donors and party committees to make further contributions to his campaign—and then diverted more campaign money to himself," the report states. "And he sustained all of this through a constant series of lies to his constituents, donors, and staff about his background and experience."

Santos pleaded not guilty last month to federal criminal fraud charges, but the subcommittee investigating Santos recommended the House Ethics Committee refer Santos to the Justice Department for potential prosecution on several charges of fraud, including false and incomplete campaign reports and improper use of campaign funds.

Santos has resisted calls to resign and survived a motion to expel him from the House earlier this month.

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