Congressman George Santos: Reports I would let a dog die "shocking & insane," calls reports of him performing in drag "categorically false" – CBS News

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By Zinnia Maldonado, Jennifer McLogan
Updated on: January 19, 2026 / 6:01 PM / CBS New York
MINEOLA, N.Y. — More claims by Rep. George Santos are under scrutiny. 
Some residents of New Hyde Park say he was spotted briefly at a temple this week. 
Santos has not yet appeared in his congressional office or take calls from constituents. 
The local office of Santos was open Wednesday, but callers got a surprise – suddenly transferred to neighboring freshman Rep. Nick LaLota’s office. LaLota received an unexpected bombardment of unwanted Santos calls. House telecom then sent them to voicemail. 
The saga continues. The Santos campaign website claimed his mother was working in the World Trade Center on 9/11, yet a federal source told CBS her immigration documents show she was in Brazil at the time of the attack. 
Untruths have been uncovered daily on his resume, employment history, wealth, religion, schooling, and pet charity after allegedly cheating a disabled veteran and his dying dog out of funds. 
The reports that I would let a dog die is shocking & insane. My work in animal advocacy was the labor of love & hard work. Over the past 24hr I have received pictures of dogs I helped rescue throughout the years along with supportive messages.

These distractions won’t stop me!
Santos tweeted Wednesday “The reports that I would let a dog die is shocking & insane. My work in animal advocacy was the labor of love and hard work… these distractions wont stop me.”
A homeless veteran says Santos helped him raise $3,000 for his dying dog back in 2016 through Santos’ pet charity. But the man says he never got the money, and his dog died six months later. 
“What he’s done all along seems despicable. I’m not sure what straw will break the camel’s back, but I, too, call for McCarthy to man up, stand up, speak up, and do something to expel George Santos,” said veteran Mitch Furman, of Oyster Bay.”He lies about every item on his resume, and every day we say it can’t get any worse,” said Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan. 
“George Santos is now one of 435 people tasked with taking care of our veterans in this country,” Lafazan added. 
Former roommate Gregory Morey said Santos told him a decade ago he had his sights set on Congress. 
“He told me once that if I can get elected to Congress for just one term, I will be set with a pension and health care for the rest of my life,” Morey said. 
Santos’ family friend, who says she lived with him sporadically, claimed Santos stole from her, too. She told CBS News, from her home in Brazil, that she no longer recognizes the boy she once knew, and that she fears he will do anything to stay in power. 
More tweets from Santos emerged. 
The most recent obsession from the media claiming that I am a drag Queen or “performed” as a drag Queen is categorically false.

The media continues to make outrageous claims about my life while I am working to deliver results.

I will not be distracted nor fazed by this.
“The most recent obsession from the media claiming that I am a drag queen, or ‘performed’ as a drag queen, is categorically false,” Santos wrote. “The media continues to make outrageous claims about my life while I am working to deliver results.” 
He shows no signs of stepping down. 
“I’ve worked my entire life. I’ve lived an honest life. I’ve never been accused of bad doings,” he said on Steve Bannon’s “War Room,” while being interviewed by Rep. Matt Gaetz. 
This week, Santos secured spots on two committees, and has the backing of the House GOP leadership.
“Speaker McCarthy, what more do you have to see out of George Santos before you say enough is enough?” asked Lafazan. 
Zinnia Maldonado is a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV.
First published on January 19, 2023 / 12:18 PM
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