FBI Probing Into Santos’ Navy Veteran Service Dog Scheme: Report

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — The Federal Bureau of Investigations is investigating the claims of the Navy veteran who said the embattled Republican George Santos scammed him into raising funds for a lifesaving surgery of a service dog, according to a report.

Two FBI agents reached out to Richard Osthoff, a former service member, on Wednesday, according to POLITICO.

Patch first reported how Santos organized a GoFundMe campaign in 2016 through his Friends of Pets United charity to help Osthoff’s service dog, Sapphire, pay for a tumor removal surgery.

After the fundraiser reached $3,000, Santos deleted the GoFundMe page, kept the money, and ignored the veteran’s phone calls.

Osthoff allegedly gave federal officials the 2016 text messages between him and Santos.

The probe comes as the freshman lawmaker faces mounting accusations of illegalities concerning his campaign finances, as well as a series of fabricated lies about his educational and professional background.

Santos already faces probes from the US attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York, as well as the Nassau County district attorney’s office, which is looking into the fabrications.

The Republican, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island, said he would recuse from participating in House of Representatives committees, but refused to resign despite several demands from lawmakers and constituents.