Month: January 2023

On Wednesday, Republican officials in Nassau County, NY called for the resignation of newly sworn-in Rep. George Santos, in the wake of revelations about fabrications and lies he told during his campaign and afterward. Nassau County Republican Party Chairman Joseph Cairo said at a press conference Wednesday: “George Santos’ campaign last year was a campaign of deceit, lies and fabrication — he deceived the voters of the third congressional district, he deceived the members of the Nassau County Republican Committee, elected officials, his colleagues, candidates, his opponents and even some of the media … His fabrications went too far. Many groups were hurt, specifically, I look at those families that were touched by the horrors of the Holocaust, and feel for them. He has no place in the Nassau County Republican Committee, nor should he serve in public service nor as an elected official. He is not welcome here at republican headquarters.”

Santos claimed to have had attended NYU and graduated from Baruch college in 2010, both institutions said they couldn’t find any record of his attendance. He also claimed to have worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, but both companies say they don’t have any record of his employment. Shortly after his election to New York’s third congressional district, Santos claimed he had lost four employees at the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016, but a New York Times review of victims’ backgrounds revealed that none of them had worked for Santos. Additionally, Santos lied extensively about his family background, claiming his mother’s death from cancer was related to the 9/11 attacks; however, there is no evidence that she was at the Twin Towers or had the type of cancer that has affected rescue workers at ground zero. Santos also claimed he was Jewish and that his grandmother fled the Holocaust, but the claim also turned out to have been false.

The nonprofit government watchdog Campaign Legal Center also filed a complaint against Santos, alleging that he had concealed the source of $705,000 he claimed to have donated to his own campaign despite only having $55,000 in his 2020 financial discloser. Democratic New York representatives Dan Goldman and Ritchie Torres on Tuesday delivered a written complaint against Santos to the House Ethics Committee, saying he “must be held accountable for defrauding both Congress and the public.”

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., signed a bill into law banning high-powered, assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. Most individuals under age 21 are also prohibited from buying any type of firearm in the state. The new law takes effect immediately.

The Illinois House of Representatives had passed the bill last week known as the “Protect Illinois Communities Act.” It bans high-powered, assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines, as well as the sale, manufacture, delivery and purchase of assault weapons across the entire state. The House voted 68-41 in favor, and the legislation passed through the Illinois Senate Monday with a 34-20 vote.

Pritzker tweeted after signing the bill: “No Illinoisan should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be next in an ever-growing list of mass shooting victims,” and tweeted Tuesday night: “I’m tired of living in a world where a mass shooting needs a title so you know which one we’re referring to. I just signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which immediately bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in IL.”

The current regulations were created in the aftermath of a mass shooting north of Chicago during an Independence Day parade last year, leaving seven people dead and dozens injured. The suspect in that case, Robert Crimo III, was arrested hours later; and his parents were help responsible for their role in helping him obtain the assault-style rifle used in the attack  The suspect’s father, Robert Crimo Jr. was later arrested and charged with seven counts of felony reckless conduct. Crimo Jr.’s was charged for his role in helping his then-19-year-old son apply in 2019 for a firearm owners identification card in Illinois, which was issued in 2020 and used to acquire the assault-style rifle used in the parade shooting.

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Former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison Tuesday for his role in a tax fraud scheme and evading taxes on nearly $2 million in earnings. Had he been convicted at trial, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison.

The 75-year-old Weisselberg was handcuffed following his sentencing and will be placed at Rikers Island to start his sentence. He will likely serve 100 days, taking into account time off for good behavior. Weisselberg has paid about $2 million in taxes and penalties, satisfying his plea agreement, according to district attorney Susan Hoffinger. After serving his prison sentence, Weisselberg will remain on probation for five years.

In August, Weisselberg pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a 15-year scheme to evade city, state and federal taxes on $1.76 million in unreported income. The charges against Weisselberg included grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing. As part of his plea agreement, Weisselberg testified against the Trump Organization in November, saying in court that he and other Trump executives knew the tax practices were illegal. He testified that the illegal tax practices were cleaned up when Donald Trump became president. The company was found guilty of tax fraud in December.

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California Representative Katie Porter has announced her intention to run for Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein’s seat in 2024. Porter tweeted Tuesday: “California needs a warrior in the Senate-to stand up to special interests, fight the dangerous imbalance in our economy, and hold so-called leaders like Mitch McConnell accountable for rigging our democracy … Today, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2024.”

Feinstein has not officially announced her retirement; however, she is expected to leave the Senate after her current term expires. Feinstein said in a statement Tuesday: “Everyone is of course welcome to throw their hat in the ring, and I will make an announcement concerning my plans for 2024 at the appropriate time.” Feinstein reiterated in December that she would not leave her post before her term is up.

Porter was re-elected for a third term as representative for California’s 47th Congressional District after a close race against Republican challenger Scott Baugh in November.

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