NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A disabled veteran said George Santos ran off with the cash from a GoFundMe for surgery for his beloved service dog, leaving his companion to die, according to a report from Patch.
Richard Osthoff, 47, was homeless, living in Howell, New Jersey with his service dog Sapphire in May 2016 after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 2002.
Sapphire, a pit mix, had developed a stomach tumor that would cost $3,000 to remove. It was a bill he couldn’t afford, but the vet tech told him about a charity that might be able to help.
Friends of Pets United was run by Anthony Devoleder, a name Rep. George Santos from Long Island sometimes used. He claims his full name is George Anthony Devolder Santos, though his history of lies about his heritage, job history, education and accomplishments have cast doubt on any biographical information he shares.
Osthoff claims Santos closed the GoFundMe campaign for Sapphire and took the $3,000 he had raised from friends and family. Retired police Sgt. Michael Boll corroborated the story to Patch.
Santos allegedly demanded Osthoff bring the dog to a Queens practice instead of the New Jersey veterinarian who had recommended his charity.
When they went, the new veterinarian told the veteran he couldn’t operate on the tumor, even though the New Jersey veterinarian had agreed to do so.
Sapphire died in January 2017 having never received the surgery she needed.
Osthoff showed Patch texts in which he begged Santos to release the money to him.
"My dog is going to die because of god knows what," he wrote.
"Remember it is our credibility that got GoFundme... to contribute. We are audited like every 501c3 and we are with the highest standards of integrity," Santos replied.
A New York Times investigation found the IRS had no records of the charity as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Further texts show Santos claiming he would use the money for other dogs, even though the GoFundMe campaign had explicitly raised money for Sapphire’s surgery.
Osthoff claims Santos broke off contact with him after that text conversation.
Santos’s office did not immediately return 1010 WINS’ request for comment. The representative likewise did not reply to Patch’s request for comment.
Santos is currently facing calls for his resignation, including from his fellow Republican legislators, and three criminal investigations.
Santos was making $55,000 per year up until 2020, according to financial disclosure documents he filed during the campaign.
In 2021 and 2022, he reported income between $1 million and $5 million from a “capital intro consulting company.”
He turned around and funneled more than $700,000 of that newfound fortune into his campaign.
U.S. federal and state prosecutors are investigating that sudden shift in income and his campaign finances.
Santos is also facing an investigation from Brazilian prosecutors who accuse him of using fake checks in 2008.
Santos admitted to Brazilian police he forged a man’s signature on two checks to purchase over $1,300 worth of clothing and shoes, according to documents obtained by CNN.
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