The Republican leadership in his constituency has called on US Congressman George Santos to resign because of false information in his CV.
He shouldn't be doing public service, Joseph Cairo, Republican leader in Nassau County, New York, said Wednesday.
"He brought shame on the House of Representatives and we do not consider him one of our congressmen." That's why the Republican leadership of Nassau County is calling for his "immediate resignation" as a representative.
The public prosecutor starts an investigation
The 34-year-old politician was first elected to the House of Representatives in the congressional elections in November.
The newspaper "New York Times" then took a close look at Santos' CV.
For example, he claimed to have been a "seasoned Wall Street investor."
However, when asked by the newspaper, alleged employers said Santos had never been employed by them.
The newspaper was also unable to verify his university degree.
Santos has also been accused of misleading the public about his family history and alleged Jewish background.
The New York prosecutor's office then began an investigation in December.
In an interview, the Republican admitted he had "whitewashed" his resume.
He will not resign, Santos told reporters on Wednesday.
The newly elected Republican chairman of the Congress Chamber, Kevin McCarthy, had previously said that the Santos case would be handled internally.
Santos' resignation would be tricky for Republicans in the House of Representatives.
In the congressional elections, they regained a majority in the congress chamber – but only by a hair's breadth.
Should Santos resign, there would have to be a new election in his constituency.
It couldn't be ruled out that the Democrats would win the seat and the Republican majority would melt away.
Democrat and current US President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election in Nassau County.