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A Chinese business titan pleaded guilty on Monday to federal charges that he made more than $10,000 in straw donor contributions to political candidates — including, a person familiar with the case said, to a New York congressman and Mayor Eric Adams. Hui Qin, 56, of Old Westbury, N.Y., who was once listed on Forbes magazine’s list of billionaires, ran a now-defunct entertainment business called SMI Culture. Image Hui Qin Credit... ImaginechinaMr. Qin asked others to contribute to political campaigns of his choosing, and he agreed to reimburse them, in 2021 and 2022, according to prosecutors. The other figures who received donations were Representative Andrew Garbarino of Long Island and Allan Fung, a former mayor of Cranston, R.I., who ran for Congress, the person familiar with the case said. Both are Republicans, while Mr. Adams is a Democrat.

Persons: Eric Adams, Hui Qin, Imaginechina Mr, Qin, Andrew Garbarino, Allan Fung, Adams Organizations: Forbes, Congress Locations: New York, Old Westbury, N.Y, Manhattan, Qin, Long, Cranston, R.I

☆ George Santos crashing the State of the Union to announce a comeback campaign is what Congress deserves
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

George Santos crashed the State of the Union and announced a comeback bid for Congress. But with the way things in Washington have been going lately, it may be what Congress deserves. I have made several personal… — George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 8, 2024It's the latest stunt for the scandal-plagued lawmaker, who never seemed to take the job of being a member of Congress all that seriously. Former Rep. George Santos seen on the House floor for #SOTU2024. Three members of Congress were censured, an increasingly meaningless rebuke that may have backhandedly delivered one of them a Senate seat.

Persons: George Santos, He's, —, he's, Nick LaLota, Joe Biden's, — George Santos, Santos, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Tim Burchett, Burchett, it's Organizations: Union, Service, State, US Association, Former, Rep, New York Republicans, New, New York congressman Locations: Washington, United States of America, New York, Florida, Tennessee, dignify, Ukraine, Israel

☆ TikTokers are enthusiastically joining the app's call to wage war on Congress over a potential ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The proposed bill would force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban. AdvertisementTikTokers have enthusiastically answered the app's call to bombard members of Congress with calls and messages in an effort to prevent the platform from being banned in the US. AdvertisementA TikTok spokesperson told Business Insider the legislation has a "predetermined outcome," which is a total ban of TikTok in the US. The state of Montana, for instance, banned TikTok entirely in 2023. An increasing number of states have also made the decision to ban TikTok on government-issued devices.

Persons: ByteDance, —, TikTokers, Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Trump, TikTok, Jamaal Bowman, Ben Stanley, Mary Miller, Shira, Meta Organizations: Service, Republican Rep, Democratic Rep, Energy, Commerce, New, YouTube, Centre for Digital Citizens, Northumbria University, Facebook, Universal Music Group Locations: Wisconsin, Illinois, Montana, Austin, China, Cambridge, Brexit

☆ Nancy Pelosi called disgraced Rep. George Santos a 'coward' for leaving the House chamber before his expulsion vote ended
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. George Santos was expelled from Congress in a historic vote on Friday. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said he was a "coward" for leaving the House chamber before the vote ended. After leaving the chamber Santos said: "To hell with this place." AdvertisementFormer Speaker Nancy Pelosi called disgraced Rep. George Santos a "coward" after he left the House chamber on Friday before the end of a historic vote to expel him. As Santos left the Capitol on Friday he told a CNN reporter that the vote set a "new dangerous precedent."

Persons: George Santos, Nancy Pelosi, Santos, —, Pelosi Organizations: Service, Democratic, Republican, Capitol, CNN, New Locations: New York

☆ GOP congressman says it would be politically advantageous for him to vote to expel George Santos because some of his constituents 'don't like the fact that he's gay'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

GOP Rep. Tim Burchett says he's undecided over whether he'll vote to expel George Santos. "People don't like the fact he's gay," he said, adding that he's personally "a libertarian." AdvertisementRep. Tim Burchett remains undecided over whether to vote for a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos from Congress this week. Advertisement"I mean, people don't like the fact he's gay," said Burchett. Burchett voted against two previous attempts to expel Santos in May and November.

Persons: Tim Burchett, George Santos, Burchett, Santos, he's, —, it'd, who's, Kevin McCarthy, that's, — Santos Organizations: Service, Congress, Tennessee Republican, New, Republican, Caucus, Santos, New York Republican, Tennessee congressman Locations: Tennessee, Knoxville, New York

Republican Rep. George Santos announced he will not seek reelection to the House next year, following the Ethics Committee’s release of its long-awaited report on Thursday, concluding that there is “substantial evidence” that the New York congressman used campaign funds for personal purposes. The committee said it uncovered additional “uncharged and unlawful conduct” by Santos that go beyond the criminal allegations already pending against him, and would immediately refer these allegations to the Justice Department for further investigation. Everyone who participated in this grave miscarriage of Justice should all be ashamed of themselves,” Santos wrote of the report in a post on X. Santos has remained defiant in the face of the mounting legal issues he faces. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

Persons: George Santos, Santos, “, ” Santos, Santos “ Organizations: New, Federal, Justice Department, New York Republican Locations: New York

☆ These 24 House Republicans voted for the failed resolution to kick George Santos out of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The New York Republicans' effort to expel George Santos went unexpectedly poorly for them. 46 House Democrats voted "present" or against the expulsion resolution, and it failed 179-213These 24 Republicans voted to expel their scandal-plagued colleague. But while many House members — including a number of Republicans — voted for the resolution, it failed to garner the two-thirds majority necessary for the expulsion to take place. More Democrats voted against expelling Santos (31) than Republicans voted to expel him (24). Here are the Republicans who voted to expel Santos:

Persons: George Santos, —, he's, Santos, It's, Kevin McCarthy, Anthony D'Esposito, He's, Mike Johnson, Jim Traficant Organizations: New York Republicans, Service, New York Republican, Republican, New York, Rep, Republicans, Democratic, Democrat, Fox News, Democratic Rep Locations: George Santos . Plenty, New York, Santos, Ohio

NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) - George Santos's father and aunt were identified on Thursday as the guarantors of the indicted U.S. representative's $500,000 bail, after Santos fought unsuccessfully to keep them anonymous. The House of Representatives' Ethics Committee also wanted the names, to determine whether Santos violated congressional rules on gifts. Seybert called it "disingenuous" to suggest that Santos' father and aunt might be endangered, noting that they came forward to offer help after the congressman's high-profile arraignment and expressed no concerns about guaranteeing bail. "My family & I have made peace with the judges decision to release their names," Santos posted on Twitter. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Alistair Bell and Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: George Santos's, Santos, Gercino dos Santos, Elma Preven, George Santos, Joanna Seybert, Defendant's, Jonathan Stempel, Alistair Bell, Daniel Wallis Organizations: YORK, U.S, Republican, Representatives, Twitter, Thomson Locations: York, Central Islip , New York, New York

☆ The case against serial liar George Santos is a slam dunk, legal experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Laura Italiano | Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

GOP Congressman George Santos pleaded not guilty Wednesday to 13 counts of campaign-related fraud. Its 20 pages present a "slam dunk" case, and paint Santos as "buffoonish," "delusional," and "The definition of a dumb criminal," they said. "He provided a trail that — I want to say FBI bloodhounds, but FBI cocker spaniels could follow," longtime Manhattan defense attorney Ron Kuby said. Santos' repeated, ongoing lies dragged him into the spotlight — now they could land him behind bars, experts noted. Santos "told a lot of lies on federal documents," another longtime Manhattan defense attorney, Arthur Aidala, said, describing the indictment allegations in a nut shell.

☆ George Santos tricked supporters into giving him money that he spent on designer clothes and credit card payments, feds allege
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Prosecutors allege embattled GOP Rep. George Santos tricked supporters into sending tens of thousands of dollars. After receiving the money, prosecutors said Santos spent thousands of dollars on designer clothes and credit card payments. Instead, Santos spent "thousands of dollars of the solicited funds on personal expenses, including luxury designer clothing and credit card payments," prosecutors allege in the indictment. Santos 2024In April, prior to being charged in New York, Santos announced his plan to run for a second term in office. This is about TAKING BACK our country and restoring greatness back to New York," Santos tweeted.

☆ George Santos once campaigned on making sure 'criminals are sent to prison to do their time.' He's now facing felony charges.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

George Santos once campaigned on making sure all criminals do their time in jail. The congressman was hit with 13 federal charges Wednesday. He's accused of stealing supporters' money, illegally taking unemployment payouts, and lying to Congress. The feds are accusing Santos of stealing supporters' money, illegally taking unemployment payouts, and lying to Congress. If convicted of all 13 charges, the embattled freshman Congressman could face up to 20 years in prison.

☆ George Santos was accused of unemployment fraud. The House may vote this week on an unemployment fraud bill that he co-sponsored.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. George Santos is being accused of stealing COVID-19 unemployment aid, among other charges. In March, he co-sponsored a bill that incentivizes states to recoup money lost through unemployment fraud. The indictment contains 13 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds. Two months before his indictment, Santos co-sponsored a bill, along with 34 Republican lawmakers, that incentivizes states to recoup money lost through COVID-19 unemployment fraud. Spokespersons for Santos and Rep. Jason Smith, the lead sponsor of the bill, did not respond to a request for comment.

☆ George Santos Charged in Justice Department Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Jimmy Vielkind | Sadie Gurman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Rep. George Santos (R., N.Y.) also faces scrutiny from prosecutors in New York and the House Ethics Committee. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty ImagesFederal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against George Santos, the embattled New York congressman who assumed office this year after lying about his biography during his campaign, according to people familiar with the matter. Details of the criminal charges, which have been filed under seal, couldn’t immediately be determined, but Mr. Santos has been under federal investigation since at least December. He also faces scrutiny from a number of other entities, including local prosecutors in New York and the House Ethics Committee. Mr. Santos has faced accusations he engaged in unlawful activity during his 2022 campaign and failed to disclose required information.

Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against Rep. George Santos, CNN and ABC reported Tuesday. A rep for Santos didn't respond to Insider's request for comment. Santos was previously found to have lied about his background during his campaign. CNN reported they were filed under seal and that the New York congressman is expected to appear in federal court as soon as Wednesday. But the revelations about Santos' background convinced many Long Islanders — including local Republicans who had backed his candidacy — to call for his resignation.

☆ 'The Queen of New York:' George Santos basks in rare praise as DC Young Republicans give him a hero's welcome
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

But on Wednesday, Santos received a warm reception at a DC happy hour for young conservatives. But he was still a star for the Washington, DC Young Republicans, a group that was taken over just a month ago by a cadre of self-described "ultra MAGA" young conservatives who emphatically align themselves with former President Donald Trump. —Washington, D.C. Young Republicans (@WashingtonDCYRs) April 27, 2023"Keep fighting for what you think is best, and for what you believe in," said Santos after speaking for less than 10 minutes. Perhaps owing to his precarious political standing, Santos has yet to break from party leadership on any major votes, contrasting with other New York Republicans who won Democratic-leaning districts last year. Attendees mill around before Rep. Santos' arrival.

☆ George Santos insists he's donating his congressional salary, but he won't say where it's going: 'I owe you no explanation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rep. George Santos has pledged several times to donate his entire congressional salary. "I owe you no explanation to what I do with my salary," he told Insider at the Capitol on Thursday. Two weeks ago, spokeswoman Naysa Woomer told Insider that "updates will be available at a later time," declining to provide further details. Pointing out that he's not legally required to disclose his salary donation details, Santos said that he still planned to make a salary donation announcement, but without any details. In May 2021, he again wrote on Twitter that he would "not accept a congressional salary at all."

☆ Rep. George Santos’s Campaign Fundraising Stalls as Investigations Loom
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( Jimmy Vielkind | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

George Santos appeared in Manhattan earlier this month as demonstrators rallied in support of Donald Trump. Rep. George Santos ’s campaign refunded more contributions than it took in during the first three months of the year, disclosure reports show, raising questions about whether he intends to see through a re-election campaign. The New York congressman is facing several investigations and criticism from fellow Republicans about apparent lies he told during his 2022 election.

☆ George Santos has a possible challenger, as ex-Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi considers a run for his old seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., left, and George Santos, (R-NY) conducts a news conference to advocate for inclusion of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction in the Build Back Better Act reconciliation bill, outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York is telling political leaders and wealthy donors that he is considering running for his old seat held by embattled Republican Rep. George Santos, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. Suozzi defeated Santos during his last run for Congress in 2020. He has name recognition and is a prolific fundraiser, which could make him a frontrunner in a Democratic primary for Santos' seat. Democratic businessman Robert Zimmerman, who lost to Santos in 2022, has not ruled out running again for the seat.

☆ Rep. Jamaal Bowman says the push to ban TikTok is 'xenophobic' and 'part of another Red Scare'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But Rep. Jamaal Bowman — among the most prolific TikTokers in Congress — is pushing back. And amid growing bipartisan calls in Washington for a nationwide ban on the popular video-sharing app, he's decided to speak up. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers increasingly speak of TikTok as a potential vector for malign influence from the Chinese Communist Party. "Me being against a ban of TikTok is not about thinking TikTok is the greatest thing ever, and that there aren't regulations and reforms needed." The Biden administration, meanwhile, is threatening to ban TikTok if ByteDance doesn't sell its stake in the company.

☆ George Santos was 'in charge' of a credit card fraud scheme, former roommate alleged, contradicting what the congressman previously said about his role in the case: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

George Santos's former roommate alleged that the congressman was in charge of an ATM fraud scheme. The former roommate alleged that Santos taught and provided "all the material" for the scheme. "Santos had a warehouse located on Kirkman Road in Orlando, Florida," Trelha alleged. When Trelha was arrested in 2017, the former roommate alleged in the statement that Santos visited him in a Seattle jail. In an interview with Politico, Santos's lawyer friend, Tiffany Bogosian, said that Santos told her his role in the scheme was as an "informant."

☆ Joe Rogan facing allegations of antisemitism after saying it's 'stupid' to say 'Jews aren't into money'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Joe Rogan faced accusations of antisemitism after his latest podcast episode. The CEO of the American Jewish Committee said that Rogan's comments invoked age-old antisemitic tropes. In the latest Spotify show, The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan defended Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar. He said in a tweet, "the notion that interest in money is uniquely Jewish is antisemitic garbage." The Joe Rogan Experience podcast was the most listened to on Spotify in 2022, with an average audience of approximately 11 million.

☆ George Santos has been accused of lying constantly. This is what experts say about the psychology of compulsive liars.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Experts said pathological lying could exist on its own or be a feature of a personality disorder. What drives compulsive liars, and is George Santos one? Many psychologists say compulsive lying is often a feature of a personality disorder, such as antisocial-personality disorder or narcissistic-personality disorder. Curtis explained that it is important to distinguish people who are just pathological liars, and those that engage in pathological lying as part of a personality disorder — a key difference being that pathological liars do typically exhibit some remorse about lying. "That is unusual for him and unusual for many of the cases that we've explored of pathological liars," Hart said.

☆ George Santos once lied that he was a producer on 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,' one of the biggest Broadway debacles of all time
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Azmi Haroun | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. George Santos told campaign donors he produced the most expensive Broadway play of all time. But it turns out Santos was never a producer for "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," per Bloomberg. The play cost $75 million to produce and at the time, Santos was a customer service rep in Queens. On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Santos told donors on the campaign trail that he was a producer on "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," a Broadway adaptation of the superhero saga. Michael Cohl, who produced the play, told Bloomberg that Santos was not a producer and that his name was nowhere on the playbill.

☆ Kevin McCarthy lashed out at reporters when asked why he hasn't punished George Santos
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

He was being questioned about why he continues to back Rep. George Santos. "What happens in the Intel Committee, [with the] secrets that are going on in the world other members of Congress don't know," McCarthy said. McCarthy is under increasing pressure to take action against Santos as calls grow for the New York congressman to resign. "We urge you to act swiftly to prevent George Santos from abusing his position and endangering our nation," the two New York congressmen said. They wrote: "It is clear that Congressman George Santos has violated the public's trust on various occasions and his unfettered access to our nation's secrets presents a significant risk to the national security of this country."

☆ Rep. George Santos appeared to admit to having performed as a drag queen in an old Wikipedia entry, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

George Santos appeared to admit to having performed as a drag queen in an old Wikipedia entry. Politico accessed a Wikipedia page in which a user going by a known Santos alias wrote about his drag queen past. Santos has called claims that he performed in drag many years ago an "outrageous" lie. The questions about his drag queen past come after the congressman has aligned himself with some of the most right-wing Republican lawmakers. Santos' alleged drag queen past has emerged amid a right-wing anti-gay disinformation campaign attempting to link drag shows to "grooming."

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