Fresh casino allegations leveled at disgraced former US Rep George Santos

Article by : Charles Perrin Dec 8, 2023

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Former US Rep George Santos is facing a litany of fresh allegations after being exiled from Congress, following a scathing report carried out by the House Ethics Committee exploring his breaches of conduct.

At the end of last week, Santos became just the third congressional lawmaker since the Civil War to be ousted over his alleged behavior after the Chamber confirmed a resounding 311-114 vote to exile him.

Moreover, it marked the first time since 2002 when US Rep James Traficant (D- Ohio) was forcibly removed by Congress.

Among the allegations leveled at Santos includ identity theft, defrauding donors out of money, and submitting falsified campaign reports.

And now there have been fresh accusations that have surfaced which indicate Santos used political funds to bankroll lavish casino trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

According to a staffer of Santos, the former congressman told him that he visited casinos as he enjoyed playing roulette.

Indeed, the Office of Congressional (OEC) has noted multiple occasions where Santos allegedly used campaign money to fuel his casino habit.

A $2,300 bill at an unidentified casino in July 2022, for example, raised alarm. Moreover, the Ethics investigation found that Santos didn’t attend any campaign events during his time in Atlantic City.

However, that wasn’t thought to be an isolated incident. Indeed, Santos allegedly took his husband to Vegas in December 2021, and Santos claimed he was going there on honeymoon.

But the OCE report unraveled several ATM withdrawals from banking accounts and credit cards made at casinos that belonged to Santos’ political campaign “Santos for Congress”.

This included a $113.47 withdrawal from the Excalibur Hotel & Casinos on the Vegas strip, and in July 2022, he allegedly took out $1,084.99 at Harrah’s Resort & Casino in Atlantic City and a further $659.99 the following day at Caesars Atlantic City.

Neither of these transactions were reported to the Federal Election Committee (FEC) who are responsible for ensuring campaign finance laws are upheld.

The level of scandal shrouding Santos during his short time in office is extraordinary, although he can still enjoy some of the privileges afforded to former members of Congress, including dining in the restaurant and exercising in the Capitol gym.

In total, Santos is facing 23 charges in a federal indictment, and he has pleaded not guilty.