Latest news with #HouseEthicsCommittee
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House GOP leader files ethics complaint against South Carolina lawmaker indicted on federal child sex crime charges
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — A top Republican in the South Carolina House is calling for the expulsion of a now-suspended state representative accused of using a social messaging app to distribute child sexual abuse material. State Rep. RJ May (R-Lexington), 38, was taken into custody June 11 in Lexington County following a more than one-year-long investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation crimes. A Greenville grand jury indicted May on 10 counts of distributing child sexual abuse material, and a federal judge ordered him Thursday to remain behind bars while awaiting trial. House Majority Leader Davey Hiott (R-Pickens) said in a statement Friday that he has filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee to investigate 'not only Mr. May, but his business dealings with other members of the State House of Representatives.' 'First and foremost, we are deeply disturbed by the charges against Mr. May, and we stand fully behind law enforcement in ensuring that anyone who commits these crimes is punished to the fullest extent of the law,' Hiott said, adding 'The conduct these charges allege are reprehensible, vile, and have no place in our society, let alone in the House of Representatives.' It marks the first step in the process toward formally expelling May from the chamber, which would ultimately require a two-thirds vote once the ethics investigation has concluded. House Speaker Murrell Smith (R-Sumter) confirmed June 12 that May had been suspended without pay but declined further comment. State law requires the House Speaker to immediately suspend any member indicted on a felony charge in state or federal court. The suspension remains in effect until the member is acquitted, convicted, pleads guilty, or pleads no contest. The governor cannot unilaterally expel members of the General Assembly. The West Columbia lawmaker has represented District 88 since 2021 and helped form the hardline conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus. He also founded Ivory Tusk Consulting, a political consulting and public relations firm for Republicans. Freedom Caucus Chair Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said May was expelled from the group following news of the indictment but has not been involved with its operations since last August. Pace, along with other members, has called for May's immediate resignation. Prosecutors said the investigation began in April 2024 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber-tip from the social messaging app Kik, which had flagged several videos depicting child sexual abuse shared from the user 'joebidennnn69.' At least 10 videos were shared from the account, which was later traced to May's West Columbia home IP address and mobile device. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations seized nearly three dozen electronic devices belonging to May last August as part of the ongoing criminal investigation, according to a federal court filing. Those included laptops, cell phones, hard drives, and other devices. A motion filed by federal prosecutors states that May used Kik to participate in 'multiple group chats dedicated to the trading of child pornography,' distributing approximately 220 different videos about 479 times over five days in early April, including instances where the same video was shared multiple times. The document contains graphic details about the contents of the videos and states that May's activity on the app 'reveals he has sexual interest in children the same age as his own [two] children' and a 'sexual interest in incest' between parents and children. This story is breaking and may be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
George Santos to report to prison in July after pleading guilty to wire fraud, identity theft charges
George Santos after sentencing: "I implore that President Trump gives me a chance" George Santos after sentencing: "I implore that President Trump gives me a chance" George Santos after sentencing: "I implore that President Trump gives me a chance" George Santos must turn himself into federal custody this summer to begin his 87-month prison sentence for federal wire fraud and identity theft charges in New York. The disgraced former congressman will have to surrender to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by 2 p.m. on July 25, 2025, according to a court filing in the Eastern District of New York. Santos ordered to serve maximum prison sentence Santos was given the maximum prison sentence, which was requested by prosecutors who argued he was "unrepentant for his crimes" and showed "hardly an expression of genuine remorse" based on his social media posts. The federal judge on Long Island also ordered Santos to pay $373,949.97 in fines and restitution, which were part of his plea deal. He will have two years of supervised release once his prison sentence ends, the court filing said. Santos' lawyers had requested a 24-month prison sentence. He also sent a letter to the judge asking for leniency and saying he accepts responsibility. "I believe that 7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence and I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove I'm more than the mistakes I've made. Respectfully, George Santos," he posted on social media just hours after his sentencing in Central Islip. What did George Santos do? Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP The Republican was accused of exaggerating and fabricating large portions of his backstory to defraud voters and doners in New York's 3rd Congressional District after his election in 2022. The district covers portions of Nassau County and neighboring Queens in New York City. Santos was charged in May and October of 2023, before the House Ethics Committee released a scathing report detailing the scope of his alleged misconduct. He was expelled from Congress in December of that year.
Toronto Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
A timeline of George Santos' journey from Congress to criminal sentencing
Less than three years ago, George Santos was an up-and-coming Republican political star, flipping a House seat in New York City's suburbs. But he soon came under fire for lying about his life story, and on Friday, the now-former congressman was back on Long Island for a very different announcement: He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and theft. Here is a timeline of his rise and fall: Nov. 8, 2022: Santos defeats Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the first known congressional election featuring two openly gay candidates. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Dec. 19, 2022: The New York Times publishes a story questioning whether Santos fictionalized his resume. Dec. 26, 2022: Santos admits fabricating some details of his biography, including that he had a degree from Baruch College and had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Despite calling himself 'a proud American Jew' in a position paper, he insists he 'never claimed to be Jewish' but rather 'Jew-ish.' Dec. 28, 2022: Nassau County prosecutors say they have launched an investigation into Santos. January 2023: Santos is sworn into office. Questions surface about how he financed his campaign after filings offer contradictory accounts. Jan. 31, 2023: Santos steps down from his congressional committees but says he won't resign. February 2023: Revelations surface that Santos had been charged with stealing puppies in Pennsylvania in 2017 by using bad checks. The case was dismissed after Santos said the checks came from a checkbook that had been stolen from him. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW March 2, 2023: The House Ethics Committee announces an investigation into Santos. May 10, 2023: Santos is indicted and pleads not guilty to federal charges that he stole from donors and his campaign, collected unemployment benefits he didn't deserve and lied to Congress about his wealth. Oct. 10, 2023: A new indictment accuses Santos of stealing donors' IDs and making unauthorized charges to their credit cards. Santos pleads not guilty to the revised charges later that month. Nov. 16, 2023: The House Ethics Committee says in a scathing report on Santos that it amassed 'overwhelming evidence' of lawbreaking, concluding flatly that he 'cannot be trusted.' Dec. 1, 2023: Santos is expelled by the House on a vote of 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required. December 2023: Not long after being expelled from the House, Santos is found to be offering the public personalized video messages for up to $200 on Cameo. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW February 2024: Santos sues late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging Kimmel deceived him into making Cameo videos that were used to ridicule Santos on the show. April 23, 2024: Santos drops his longshot, independent bid to return to Congress, a month after announcing his candidacy. His campaign committee reported raising no money in March 2024. Aug. 19, 2024: Weeks before the case was to go to trial, Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, blaming his ambition for clouding his judgment and saying he was 'flooded with deep regret.' The same day, a judge dismisses Santos' suit against Kimmel, saying the host's use of the Cameo videos for criticism and commentary was a fair use. April 25, 2025: Santos is sentenced in federal court to more than seven years in prison.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-04-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
A timeline of the rise and fall of former US Rep. George Santos
Less than three years ago, George Santos was an up-and-coming Republican political star, flipping a House seat in New York City's suburbs. But he soon came under fire for lying about his life story, and on Friday, the now-former congressman was back on Long Island for a very different announcement: He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and theft. Nov. 8, 2022: Santos defeats Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the first known congressional election featuring two openly gay candidates. Dec. 19, 2022: The New York Times publishes a story questioning whether Santos fictionalized his resume. Dec. 26, 2022: Santos admits fabricating some details of his biography, including that he had a degree from Baruch College and had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Despite calling himself 'a proud American Jew" in a position paper, he insists he 'never claimed to be Jewish' but rather 'Jew-ish.' Dec. 28, 2022: Nassau County prosecutors say they have launched an investigation into Santos. January 2023: Santos is sworn into office. Questions surface about how he financed his campaign after filings offer contradictory accounts. Jan. 31, 2023: Santos steps down from his congressional committees but says he won't resign. February 2023: Revelations surface that Santos had been charged with stealing puppies in Pennsylvania in 2017 by using bad checks. The case was dismissed after Santos said the checks came from a checkbook that had been stolen from him. March 2, 2023: The House Ethics Committee announces an investigation into Santos. May 10, 2023: Santos is indicted and pleads not guilty to federal charges that he stole from donors and his campaign, collected unemployment benefits he didn't deserve and lied to Congress about his wealth. Oct. 10, 2023: A new indictment accuses Santos of stealing donors' IDs and making unauthorized charges to their credit cards. Santos pleads not guilty to the revised charges later that month. Nov. 16, 2023: The House Ethics Committee says in a scathing report on Santos that it amassed 'overwhelming evidence' of lawbreaking, concluding flatly that he 'cannot be trusted.' Dec. 1, 2023: Santos is expelled by the House on a vote of 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required. December 2023: Not long after being expelled from the House, Santos is found to be offering the public personalized video messages for up to $200 on Cameo. February 2024: Santos sues late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging Kimmel deceived him into making Cameo videos that were used to ridicule Santos on the show. April 23, 2024: Santos drops his longshot, independent bid to return to Congress, a month after announcing his candidacy. His campaign committee reported raising no money in March 2024. Aug. 19, 2024: Weeks before the case was to go to trial, Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, blaming his ambition for clouding his judgment and saying he was 'flooded with deep regret.' The same day, a judge dismisses Santos' suit against Kimmel, saying the host's use of the Cameo videos for criticism and commentary was a fair use.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
A timeline of the rise and fall of former US Rep. George Santos
Less than three years ago, George Santos was an up-and-coming Republican political star, flipping a House seat in New York City's suburbs. But he soon came under fire for lying about his life story, and on Friday, the now-former congressman was back on Long Island for a very different announcement: He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and theft. Here is a timeline of his rise and fall: Nov. 8, 2022: Santos defeats Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the first known congressional election featuring two openly gay candidates. Dec. 19, 2022: The New York Times publishes a story questioning whether Santos fictionalized his resume. Dec. 26, 2022: Santos admits fabricating some details of his biography, including that he had a degree from Baruch College and had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Despite calling himself 'a proud American Jew' in a position paper, he insists he 'never claimed to be Jewish' but rather 'Jew-ish.' Dec. 28, 2022: Nassau County prosecutors say they have launched an investigation into Santos. January 2023: Santos is sworn into office. Questions surface about how he financed his campaign after filings offer contradictory accounts. Jan. 31, 2023: Santos steps down from his congressional committees but says he won't resign. February 2023: Revelations surface that Santos had been charged with stealing puppies in Pennsylvania in 2017 by using bad checks. The case was dismissed after Santos said the checks came from a checkbook that had been stolen from him. March 2, 2023: The House Ethics Committee announces an investigation into Santos. May 10, 2023: Santos is indicted and pleads not guilty to federal charges that he stole from donors and his campaign, collected unemployment benefits he didn't deserve and lied to Congress about his wealth. Oct. 10, 2023: A new indictment accuses Santos of stealing donors' IDs and making unauthorized charges to their credit cards. Santos pleads not guilty to the revised charges later that month. Nov. 16, 2023: The House Ethics Committee says in a scathing report on Santos that it amassed 'overwhelming evidence' of lawbreaking, concluding flatly that he 'cannot be trusted.' Dec. 1, 2023: Santos is expelled by the House on a vote of 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. December 2023: Not long after being expelled from the House, Santos is found to be offering the public personalized video messages for up to $200 on Cameo. February 2024: Santos sues late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging Kimmel deceived him into making Cameo videos that were used to ridicule Santos on the show. April 23, 2024: Santos drops his longshot, independent bid to return to Congress, a month after announcing his candidacy. His campaign committee reported raising no money in March 2024. Aug. 19, 2024: Weeks before the case was to go to trial, Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, blaming his ambition for clouding his judgment and saying he was 'flooded with deep regret.' The same day, a judge dismisses Santos' suit against Kimmel, saying the host's use of the Cameo videos for criticism and commentary was a fair use. April 25, 2025: Santos is sentenced in federal court to more than seven years in prison.
