FEC demands George Santos either declare candidacy or disavow fundraising

The U.S. Federal Election Commission this week ordered New York Rep. George Santos to either disavow fundraising activity apparently being carried out by his campaign or else declare his candidacy for re-election in 2024. 

The FEC said in a letter to Santos that his campaign committee "has accepted contributions and/or made expenditures in support of [his] 2024 candidacy" to the extent that Santos himself is required to declare his bid for re-election. 

The commission said that Santos must "either disavow these activities by notifying the Commission in writing that you are not a candidate, or redesignate your principal campaign committee by filing a Statement of Candidacy."

Santos since winning election has been slammed with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for having apparently embellished or fabricated considerable parts of his own biography. 

The Republican represents New York's 3rd congressional district.