FEC requires George Santos to appoint treasurer or face fundraising ban

The FEC sent a letter Tuesday to truth-doubting Long Island legislator George Santos asking him to appoint a treasurer for his campaign or face losing his ability to receive campaign donations.

“It is necessary that any committee be able to conduct any business, it must have an active treasurer,” the four-paragraph note says. “Failure to appoint a treasurer would result in the committee’s inability to accept contributions.”

The letter, which set a deadline for Santos to respond next Tuesday, came after former Republican treasurer Nancy Marks resigned last month.

The FEC sent a January 26 letter to Thomas Detweiler, Marks’ designated replacement, asking him to verify records naming him as Santos’ new treasurer. Detwyler’s lawyer immediately responded to the agency, writing that Detwyler was not in fact Santos’ treasurer and did not have approved forms indicating that he was.

In response, Datwyler’s attorney Derek Ross was asked to refer the case to “the appropriate law enforcement agency to determine whether a crime has occurred.”

But that didn’t resolve the question of who is Santos’ campaign treasurer.

And so the FEC tried again on Tuesday, reminding Santos that campaign treasurers must be replaced within 10 days. Marks said in a statement that she resigned on January 25.

Detwiler and Marks did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Santos’ lawyer Joseph Murray said in a post: “I see the FEC showing their love for George on Valentine’s Day. Candy grams would be enough.

“We have no comment on this,” Murray added.

Santos, 34, has represented part of Long Island and part of eastern Queens since last month, when he was sworn into Congress. He compiled a fictional resume for himself as a candidate, misleading voters about his education, religion, family history, professional experience, and property.

[ George Santos faces growing legal scrutiny: ‘He needs his lawyer on speed dial’ ]

Last month, the watchdog filed an FEC complaint against Santos, saying he apparently used a so-called straw donor scheme to put other people’s money into his 2022 campaign under his own name.

Several prosecutors have launched investigations into the congressman. By spring, he should announce his first applications for the next cycle.