Former Rep. George Santos, who was ousted from the House in December for using campaign funds for personal expenses, reported nearly $800,000 in debt for his campaign and just $562 in cash on hand, according to federal documents.
His campaign reported a total debt of $786,932 in its July 15 quarterly report to the Federal Election Commission.
The debt is due to various individuals and organizations, including $68,727 for legal expenses, $27,500 for field operations and a win bonus, $4,000 for campaign management, $13,177 for mail fundraising, $15,000 for field operations and $10,000 for his election night catering.
Santos’ campaign did not pay debtors in the second quarter, which spanned from April through June.
The campaign also reported paying out $85,000 to Santos to reimburse part of a $300,000 loan.
The filing was signed off by Santos’ treasurer Jason Boles of RTA Strategy, a Georgia-based company with ties to various political clients within the “Make America Great Again” faction. Boles was previously the campaign treasurer for Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Efforts to reach Boles for comment were unavailing.
Federal campaign reports show Santos frequently using campaign funds for meals at often expensive restaurants. This included a $3,053 bill at the private Republican Capitol Hill Club just three days after being expelled from Congress.
According to the FEC, campaign funds are permitted for meal expenses when used for face-to-face fundraising events, but not for personal meals like taking one’s family out for dinner. The FEC evaluates these on a case-by-case basis.
The FEC also permits the use of campaign funds by a candidate “to fulfill a commitment, obligation or expense of any person that would exist irrespective of the candidate’s campaign or responsibilities as a federal officeholder.”
The FEC also determines whether legal expenses paid for through campaign funds are permitted or unpermitted personal expenses on a case-by-case basis.
Santos took office in January 2023, representing the 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Nassau and Queens. He had successfully flipped the once blue seat to red in November 2022.
On Dec. 1 Santos became just the sixth member of the House to be expelled through a 311-114 vote, with 105 Republicans voting in favor of his removal.
Santos was removed after the House’s bipartisan Ethics Committee released an investigative report finding “substantial evidence” that Santos violated federal law.
Investigators said they found Santos used campaign funds for personal purposes, defrauded donors and filed false or incomplete campaign and financial disclosures.
Santos was indicted on 23 federal charges, and on Aug. 19. He pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and identity theft. The remaining 21 counts were dropped as part of his guilty plea.
He faces a mandatory two years in prison but could be sentenced to upwards of 87 months – just over seven years.
Santos agreed to pay $373,749.97 in restitution to various entities. These included donors whose credit cards he used without authorization and the state unemployment fund he fraudulently received benefits.
He will be required to forfeit another $205,002.97 before his sentencing.
