Allegedly defrauded Navy vet seeks reward for George Santos

A Navy veteran who was allegedly duped by the newly elected Representative George Santos seeks the help of the law.

The drama has continued since disabled veteran Richard Osthoff came forward and accused the New York representative of disappearing with money raised for his service dog’s life-saving surgery. The scam happened in 2016 when Osthoff was living in a tent on the side of a highway in New Jersey with her beloved dog, Sapphire.

Richard Osthoff is negotiating with government agencies to bring criminal charges against Rep. George Santos

Osthoff claims he had to find a way to pay the $3,000 bill he received for surgery after Sapphire was diagnosed with a stomach tumor. Then a vet tech told the old man about a guy who could help him.

The guy turned out to be Anthony Devolder, who apparently ran an animal charity called Friends of Pets United and was willing to raise money for the dog. Osthoff later discovered that Anthony Devolder was just an alias that Santos made up from his real name, George Anthony Devolder Santos.

The retired soldier said Santos set up a GoFundMe page for Sapphire’s practice and closed it when it reached the three thousand mark. From then on, the lawmaker became “increasingly difficult to contact,” even asking Osthoff to take his beloved dog to another vet clinic for the procedure.

Not only did the clinic recommended by Santos claim that the tumor was inoperable, but Santos also stated that he would take the money raised and use it for “other dogs,” indicating to the Navy retiree that he had been scammed. Unfortunately, Sapphire died the following year.

comment TMZ of the never-ending story, Osthoff revealed that he sees the alleged scam as charity fraud and wire fraud, calling Santos a fraud who used an alias to get away with the crime.

As far as he is concerned, the only way to get justice is for the law to file criminal charges against the congressman. Osthoff is said to be working with government agencies to give Santos what he deserves — though it’s unclear what steps he’s taken so far.

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In an update ABC News revealed over the weekend that Santos’ legal battle is far from over. Amid multiple investigations in the United States and Brazil, including over his finances, constituents are calling for the Long Island Republican’s resignation and he faces possible impeachment.

Talk of the explosion began after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Santos would be removed if found guilty of breaking the law. It is worth mentioning that the legislator has denied all allegations of wrongdoingstating, “I am not a criminal… not here, not in Brazil, not in any jurisdiction in the world.”

However, shortly after he made the comments last month, it was reported that Brazilian prosecutors were investigating allegations of check fraud against him since he was 19 years old.

A representative of the prosecutor’s office in Rio de Janeiro stated at the time that criminal lawyers intend to charge the now 34-year-old man with two counts of suspected fraud, including the previously mentioned check forgery and theft. According to the representative, each charge is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Still, a prosecutor’s office official said Santos could only pay a fine if convicted. As for his punishment within the congressional district, Santos will be removed if a majority of the committee decides he did something wrong.

The procedure involves a recommendation to the full House to impose one or more penalties, such as reprimand, expulsion, censure, fine or any other appropriate sanction chosen by the committee.

As it stands, each house of Congress has the power to remove a sitting member for “disorderly conduct” under the Constitution. To expel Santos, the House must secure a two-thirds vote.

With the current makeup of the House — 212 Democrats to 222 Republicans — about a third of Republicans would need to vote with Democrats to successfully expel the embattled representative. So far, Santos has not disclosed any plans to withdraw.