'I am not a criminal': Newly elected congressman admits 'embellishing' resume

Following scrutiny of his resume and education, New York Rep.-elect George Santos has admitted to "embellishing" his list of former employers and college degree.

"I am not a criminal," the Long Island Republican told the New York Post. He "never worked directly" for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as he claimed, but rather did business with them as a vice president at Link Bridge. Santos called it a "poor choice of words."

He also never graduated from any college despite listing a 2010 degree from Baruch College, Santos confirmed. "I own up" to inventing his work and education experience, he said: "We do stupid things in life."

Santos also explained what he meant by claiming on his campaign website that he was Jewish, referring to stories he says his grandmother told about growing up Jewish but converting to Catholicism. 

He also denies falsely claiming to be gay, telling the Post that he was indeed married to a woman for several years but divorced her in 2017 and is now in a same-sex marriage. "I'm OK with my sexuality. People change. I'm one of those people who change," he said.

Santos said his revealed embellishments "will not deter me from having good legislative success ... I campaigned talking about the people's concerns, not my resume."

The Post said Santos's whoppers were a "running joke" in the House Republican conference, citing "multiple insiders close" to House GOP leadership.