Federal agents interview veteran who alleges George Santos took thousands from dying dog’s GoFundMe

Federal regulation enforcement officers are investigating a US Navy veteran’s allegation that Rep. George Santos raised cash for a lifesaving surgical procedure for his dying canine solely to take off with the cash.

Wealthy Osthoff, the veteran, informed CNN he spoke to a pair of FBI brokers on Wednesday in regards to the incident on behalf of the US Legal professional’s Workplace within the Jap District of New York, which is investigating Santos’ funds. Osthoff stated he cooperated with the brokers’ requests, together with handing over his textual content message exchanges with Santos.

CNN has reached Santos’ legal professional for remark. Santos didn’t reply to questions in regards to the matter when requested by reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday and a spokesperson for the US legal professional’s workplace for the Jap District of New York declined to remark.

Politico first reported the event.

Osthoff informed CNN final month that in 2016 Santos promised to boost funds for his pit bull, Sapphire. Osthoff stated on the time he was homeless and residing in a tent after dropping his job and home.

Santos arrange a GoFundMe which ultimately raised round $3,000. A submit from the Fb profile of George Devolder on the time hyperlinks to a GoFundMe elevating surgical procedure funds for the canine.

Osthoff stated Santos turned uncooperative when he tried to entry the GoFundMe cash.

Santos, a New York Republican, informed CNN in January that he had “no clue” what Osthoff was speaking about and defended his work with animals.

Textual content messages supplied to CNN by Osthoff additionally present his exchanges with Santos in 2016.

“Hey Anthony, Wealthy right here. I hoped to listen to from you. Simply checking whether or not you made contact with the vet,” Osthoff writes in a single textual content to Santos, who was going by the identify Anthony Devolder on the time.

Santos replies that he “simply known as” Osthoff and he’s been “leaping by means of hoops.” He provides, “They don’t seem to be as versatile as you stated they had been,” apparently talking in regards to the vet Osthoff referenced.

Santos additionally writes {that a} vet “had already dominated out the surgical procedure with out the ultrasound as a result of primarily based on his expertise he thinks it’s very invasive,” however he tells Osthoff he’ll take the canine to a vet to get an ultrasound “to present you piece of thoughts.”

After Osthoff says, “I’m beginning to really feel preferred [SIC] I used to be mined for my household and associates donations,” Santos tells him that, as a result of his canine isn’t a candidate for surgical procedure, “the funds are moved to the subsequent animal in want and we’ll make sure that we use of [SIC] assets to maintain her snug!”