USA: Republican Congressman George Santos admits lies in his CV

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George Santos: Contrary to what is stated, no university degree

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John Locher/AP

A few weeks after his election to the US Congress, George Santos is at the center of a scandal.

The Republican had to admit that parts of his CV are lies.

Several US media had previously reported inconsistencies in the politician's CV.

Santos was elected in November, and his victory in Long Island helped his party take control of the House of Representatives from the Democrats.

He was able to score points with the voters with a simple strategy: the son of Brazilian immigrants presented himself as a social climber and spoke of himself as the "embodiment of the American dream".

He's running to keep that dream for others, too, he said.

His resume served as evidence of his exemplary career: graduating college and then jumping onto Wall Street.

Now it is clear: Both stations are invented.

A few days ago, the "New York Times" reported that Baruch College in New York could not confirm Santos' degree.

The investment banks Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, mentioned as previous employers in the CV, could not find any documents that prove the politician's former employment.

After several days of silence, Santos has now spoken out.

"My sins here are having embellished my resume," George Santos told the New York Post this week.

"I'm sorry." Santos had to admit that he had no higher education.

He was embarrassed, he explained, and: 'I admit it.

We do stupid things in life.«

Referring to his purported Wall Street career, he said he "never worked directly" for either financial firm.

He made a “bad choice of words”.

He told the New York Post that Link Bridge, of which he was vice president, had done business with both Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.

Questionable statements about family history

Santos also caused irritation with information about his religious affiliation.

His campaign website stated that his grandparents "fleed the persecution of the Jews in Ukraine, settled in Belgium, and again fled persecution during World War II."

The Jewish-American portal The Forward was surprised that Santos suggested that he was Jewish.

His explanation now: "I never claimed to be a Jew." He added: "I'm Catholic.

I said I was 'Jewish' after learning that my maternal family was Jewish.”

Despite the lies in his CV, Santos apparently wants to keep his mandate.

So far, the 34-year-old has been considered one of the Republicans' new hopes.

He is also the first openly gay Republican to win a seat in the House of Representatives as a non-incumbent.

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