I have been a licensed private investigator for 35 years. I’m a Stanford graduate and I also attended law school and worked at a large ‘white shoe’ law firm.
During these years it has become more and more difficult to confirm basic information about people’s claimed pasts.
In the old days you could call a college registrar and confirm if someone got a degree at that school with a quick phone call. No longer. Now you must have signed authorization from the alleged graduate, and most schools have outsourced degree confirmation to a nationwide outfit that processes the requests.
As for confirming employment, perhaps because it was the New York Times calling businesses like Citigroup and Goldman Sachs were willing to divulge Mr. Santos apparently was never employed there. But in my experience, many, if not most firms, no longer provide such information.
This battening down of the hatches, in the name of protecting peoples’ privacy, enables liars and grifters like Mr. Santos simply to make up an entire resume, with little fear of being discovered. I can provide many examples from my own practice over the years, including fraudsters who subsequently went to jail, having lied about all sorts of details about their educational and professional pasts. Had there been more transparency on the part of the educational institutions and businesses where they allegedly worked, they probably would not have been able to pull off their frauds.
“Perhaps because it was the New York Times calling, businesses like Citigroup and Goldman Sachs were willing to divulge Mr. Santos apparently was never employed there.”
My experience, if you are lucky enough to actually get anyone to answer the phone at a firm like Goldman Sachs, who is willing to speak to you, and who has access to records of previous employees, they will not divulge that information and confirm anyone’s previous employment.
I've not found it difficult to get a yes or no answer from institutions. Example: For my last book I wanted to know if someone had gone to Harvard Business School. I phoned, was connected to the relevant person, and got my answer.
Sounds like a one off. We’ve done thousands of backgrounds for decades. Virtually all post-secondary schools now refer us to degreeverify.com, which requires signed consent by the alleged degree-holder to confirm a degree.
It's probably easier if you're a known representative of a national publication or global media outlet and couldn't be a hire suspected of building a qAnon or Proud Boys op research database.
is it possible that when somebody is in Congress (or running for Congress), they are no longer "private citizens?" and isn't it more difficult for people who are "public personalities" (or whatever the correct term is now) to sue for things like libel?
I also assume that, as a few people here have also said, the NYT asking about this kind of thing is very different from, say, ME asking for the same information.
I find his compulsive lying amusing UNTIL you get to the weird money. and a lot of people I know would find using the Holocaust to be pretty bad. and another bunch of folks would say the same thing about claiming his mother died in 9/11. I personally find his claiming to be the founder of an animal rescue group to be offensive as well.
and then there's his claim that the public wouldn't be able to grasp the complexities of his "businesses."
and with his gigantic thighs, if he was a turkey, I'd cook him.
Thanks for posting this information. I had not realized how difficult it now is to check up on these basic personal details. My question is this: How did The New York Times manage to get their information on this loathsome person?
Keith Olberman suggests that Democrats just sit on the sidelines and watch the gift that keeps on giving make life worse for Kevin McCarthy and his fellow travelers each and every day. McCarthy needs his vote for Speaker and the Repubs need him in the seat to preserve any semblance of a majority. Sadly for them, NY Republicans want him gone. They was had and they know it. They also know that their only hope for keeping that seat, and likely more of their ill gotten NY pickups, is to force a special election where they can run a less MAGA, less lying candidate and maybe hold on. Otherwise Santos is toast in 2024 and may take a few more Repubs down with him as they are all asked what they knew about the lying shitbird and when they knew it. And on a final note of pain for McCarthy, what committee is he going to put Santos on? Nothing that requires a security clearance. Nothing that has anything to do with money. Nothing having to do with oversight. McCarthy is f'ked on this one.
Let's put aside all the BS which he calls "resume embellishment" and follow the money. And, it is here someone needs to do a lot more digging. Since it will not be the RNC or Kevin McCarthy maybe it should be DOJ because we have seen increasing reports of "unfriendly" foreign powers attempting to influence American elections of late. What better way than to buy a young up and coming Republican congressman from Long Island?
Citizens United has allowed a lot of dark money to slosh around in elections but Mr. Santos financing of his campaign seems to fall into an entirely different category. Mystery money appearing from nowhere and used to finance a campaign almost in toto. Now the only question is "will DOJ have the patience and, more importantly, jurisdiction to find out its "truth?" There are limits to what a free press can reveal; more importantly that press does not have the ability to indict, convict or punish a criminal. Is George Santos a criminal? Inquiring minds want to know.
Any chance he might be a Russian agent? He's slippery enough. Poor Chris Hayes on MSNBC last night practically knit a sweater with his eyebrows as he was trying to understand the trail of nonsense and lies that Santos was spewing. I guffawed at the excuse Santos gave that "his accountant forgot to file" the corporation report. And I bet the dog ate his homework.
You're right. Santos is the embodiment of today's republican party golden child. Lying, cheating, slimy-as-they-come grifter. When will we start requiring a basic level of scrutiny from, I don't know, fucking anyone, to even qualify to get on a ballot! We had a guy running for County Commission on Cape Cod (who actually won that seat previously) who served time in a federal prison for threatening to murder Ronald Reagan. I mean, really?? Is nothing disqualifying?? How about a basic knowledge of how government actually works? Some basic understanding of history?
I’d want to drill down on the details of that alleged “threat to kill” St. Ronnie. Right-wing prosecutor wreaking vengeance on a harmless comment perhaps?
Let us remember with fondness Charles Ianello, who got elected to office in MA while a guest of the state at Walpole State Prison, now MCI Cedar Junction. Not too many of thoe around anymore.
A great article in the Atlantic yesterday by Steve Israel, who once held that seat. Plenty of “blame” to go around, Republican Party, Democratic Party, and the media. This debacle is a case in point about the deterioration of politics in the U.S. And the thing that suffers the most, and has become our undoing, is the truth.
Was ok yesterday. The.Atlantic isn't giving you one free? (I keep better than a half-dozen browsers, none of the majors, installed in my android snartphone. They handle paywalls differently. If I really, really want to read something one browser won't render, opening it with another browser often will reveal all. Also, you need to fool around in Settings etc with features like "Reader mode"—that's important. Also important, if you do this, try to avoid designating a default browser so you can select a different destination from browsers that let you choose. That's hard; android really wants a default browser. AND. If you www-search the exact hed, you can often find a legal free copy. Of course we'd never ever explore this territory to skirt the Substack paywall.) In the Steve Israel case, searching the hed 'How a Perfectly Normal New York Suburb Elected a Con Man' offers several options.
The easiest place to start is with a search for a legal free reprint like the MSN link for Steve Israel's piece. (Like Lucian's Salon Substack pieces.) I let myself get too carried away with stuff like multiple browsers, but I've always liked the Avises that try harder, a/k/a innovate.
Now that Madison Cawthorn has been shown the door, the Republicans needed a new poster child. Santos fits the bill perfectly.
The marriage, educational, vocational, faith etc lies are nothing. As you note at the end of the piece that $700,000 to the campaign is what’s really going to need a good deal of ‘splaining.
Not to copy those sad old birther tropes spouted by the R's, but is Mr. Santos actually a U.S. citizen? It seems that even that fact is cloaked in some mystery.
And speaking of the loathsome Cawthorn, Mr. Santos appears to wear the same sort of slimy smarmy look on his face that Madison habitually wore.
She is a naturalized citizen. "Omar became a citizen in 2000 at 17 years old, while Melania Trump got her citizenship six years later, a year after marrying our current president."
Noel Casler maintains that she's an oxy junkie, which is why she always wears sunglasses. he says her eyes are pinned in bright daylight. it was pretty obvious that TFF snorts Adderall...watch one of his "talks" carefully.
That’s what I thought so I’d wondered how he could run for president but never really cared enough to look and find out. I thought having an ugly wife and father who shot JFK should’ve disqualified him.
And QKevin McQArthy is welcoming him into the Repug Fold--that’s the only believable part of this story. The RNC Crime Syndicate will stoop as low as necessary to admit this “Devold (Deviled) empty suit--as with Herschel Walker.
"Mucho feh," as Leon Botstein would say. This kid is a pathological liar. That he might be seated because the crackpot caucus needs another Republican body is a tip of the hat to Trump & The Crazies. The insurrection infection has made all bad things possible.
For what it's worth: A multi page Twitter item this morning by Peter Strzok alleges that one Andrew Intrater (a cousin to Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg and Putin supporter) donated $56,000 to committees tied to Santos. Intrater has been linked to money laundering for his Russian cousin so it may not be a reach that Santos is a Russian pawn. Strzok has a Substack account so it might be worth looking into this. Frankly, I hope this is all true and the FBI & DOJ are already on it.
So interesting! Ever watch "The Americans" on the FX channel? The things the Russians have done to infiltrate the U S is astounding. I am certain, however, that the CIA has pretty much done the same things.
Amazing trail of lies. Let's hope it lands him in lots of hot water. And the GOP just keeps on rolling toward "destiny"....... What a bunch of amoral politicians, fraudsters, and liars in a once respectable political party. THANKS for digging out the sordid details Lucian... All the Best for the New Year.
This just in: George Santos: “I’m not a fraud. I’m not a fake." Well, actually, he is, per the Oxford Languages: "A fraud is a person intending to deceive others by unjustifiably claiming accomplishments intended to result in financial or personal gain."
He furthermore blames the NYTimes' “elitism” as the motivation behind the exaggeration of his credentials. I'm going back to bed.
Well OF COURSE, Santos' "embellishments" (LIES) are the fault of someone or something other than himself. That is standard scapegoat maneuver #1 for Repubbies, thanks to the 'ever blameless' tffg.
I will probably be called out as a body shamer for this so I will apologize upfront. On top of everything else I noticed after seeing a number of pictures of this guy that almost all of them are highly photoshopped except for one or two. In most cases they don't even look the real Santos. It appears to me that in actuality he looks like the Pilsbury Doughboy and not the person he is represented to be in most of his photos. I am guessing he had enough money from somewhere to seriously redo his physical image (in pictures) as well as his resume. And has a really serious pair of spanx in his wardrobe. This guy is the "catch me if you can" of American politics. What is truly sad is what this says about the ability of someone like him to even compete for a seat in our governing body.
I've noticed how different Santos looks from still to still but, aside from the makeup, he can't hope to change much during one streaming interview like the one he gaveTulsi Gabbard filling in for Tucker Carlson.
It boggles the mind that there is absolutely no code of ethics for holding public office. American citizen ?? Right age?? You’re good to go. Apparently even a felon can be president. Is that because there is nothing in the Constitution that states that the most amoral people cannot hold a position of power in government?? What can be done to change this?? Because, if we don’t address this “loophole”, we are doomed to be governed by the dregs of society.
I find it breathtakingly to our country's credit that we didn't seem to need to vet candidates for public office. We have always had codes of ethics for public office. Santos is not serving - yet. What I wonder is why the hell would anyone vote for a candidate who claimed to have worked at Goldman Sachs.
NYT by MayberryMachiavellian
Fairvale, CA
Dec. 19
I have been a licensed private investigator for 35 years. I’m a Stanford graduate and I also attended law school and worked at a large ‘white shoe’ law firm.
During these years it has become more and more difficult to confirm basic information about people’s claimed pasts.
In the old days you could call a college registrar and confirm if someone got a degree at that school with a quick phone call. No longer. Now you must have signed authorization from the alleged graduate, and most schools have outsourced degree confirmation to a nationwide outfit that processes the requests.
As for confirming employment, perhaps because it was the New York Times calling businesses like Citigroup and Goldman Sachs were willing to divulge Mr. Santos apparently was never employed there. But in my experience, many, if not most firms, no longer provide such information.
This battening down of the hatches, in the name of protecting peoples’ privacy, enables liars and grifters like Mr. Santos simply to make up an entire resume, with little fear of being discovered. I can provide many examples from my own practice over the years, including fraudsters who subsequently went to jail, having lied about all sorts of details about their educational and professional pasts. Had there been more transparency on the part of the educational institutions and businesses where they allegedly worked, they probably would not have been able to pull off their frauds.
“Perhaps because it was the New York Times calling, businesses like Citigroup and Goldman Sachs were willing to divulge Mr. Santos apparently was never employed there.”
My experience, if you are lucky enough to actually get anyone to answer the phone at a firm like Goldman Sachs, who is willing to speak to you, and who has access to records of previous employees, they will not divulge that information and confirm anyone’s previous employment.
I've not found it difficult to get a yes or no answer from institutions. Example: For my last book I wanted to know if someone had gone to Harvard Business School. I phoned, was connected to the relevant person, and got my answer.
Sounds like a one off. We’ve done thousands of backgrounds for decades. Virtually all post-secondary schools now refer us to degreeverify.com, which requires signed consent by the alleged degree-holder to confirm a degree.
It's probably easier if you're a known representative of a national publication or global media outlet and couldn't be a hire suspected of building a qAnon or Proud Boys op research database.
is it possible that when somebody is in Congress (or running for Congress), they are no longer "private citizens?" and isn't it more difficult for people who are "public personalities" (or whatever the correct term is now) to sue for things like libel?
I also assume that, as a few people here have also said, the NYT asking about this kind of thing is very different from, say, ME asking for the same information.
I find his compulsive lying amusing UNTIL you get to the weird money. and a lot of people I know would find using the Holocaust to be pretty bad. and another bunch of folks would say the same thing about claiming his mother died in 9/11. I personally find his claiming to be the founder of an animal rescue group to be offensive as well.
and then there's his claim that the public wouldn't be able to grasp the complexities of his "businesses."
and with his gigantic thighs, if he was a turkey, I'd cook him.
Exactly
Thanks for posting this information. I had not realized how difficult it now is to check up on these basic personal details. My question is this: How did The New York Times manage to get their information on this loathsome person?
Threats...
I've had to check employment records at hospitals. The HR depts will confirm dates of employment but nothing else.
but those same HR departments will manage to dig up things like arrest records that were supposed to have been "expunged."
Keith Olberman suggests that Democrats just sit on the sidelines and watch the gift that keeps on giving make life worse for Kevin McCarthy and his fellow travelers each and every day. McCarthy needs his vote for Speaker and the Repubs need him in the seat to preserve any semblance of a majority. Sadly for them, NY Republicans want him gone. They was had and they know it. They also know that their only hope for keeping that seat, and likely more of their ill gotten NY pickups, is to force a special election where they can run a less MAGA, less lying candidate and maybe hold on. Otherwise Santos is toast in 2024 and may take a few more Repubs down with him as they are all asked what they knew about the lying shitbird and when they knew it. And on a final note of pain for McCarthy, what committee is he going to put Santos on? Nothing that requires a security clearance. Nothing that has anything to do with money. Nothing having to do with oversight. McCarthy is f'ked on this one.
Pass the popcorn!
beautifully put.
❤❤❤
Let's put aside all the BS which he calls "resume embellishment" and follow the money. And, it is here someone needs to do a lot more digging. Since it will not be the RNC or Kevin McCarthy maybe it should be DOJ because we have seen increasing reports of "unfriendly" foreign powers attempting to influence American elections of late. What better way than to buy a young up and coming Republican congressman from Long Island?
Citizens United has allowed a lot of dark money to slosh around in elections but Mr. Santos financing of his campaign seems to fall into an entirely different category. Mystery money appearing from nowhere and used to finance a campaign almost in toto. Now the only question is "will DOJ have the patience and, more importantly, jurisdiction to find out its "truth?" There are limits to what a free press can reveal; more importantly that press does not have the ability to indict, convict or punish a criminal. Is George Santos a criminal? Inquiring minds want to know.
Maybe Trump acted as a go-between to hook up Santos with some Russian oligarchs.
I've heard many people suggesting that . . . /s
Any chance he might be a Russian agent? He's slippery enough. Poor Chris Hayes on MSNBC last night practically knit a sweater with his eyebrows as he was trying to understand the trail of nonsense and lies that Santos was spewing. I guffawed at the excuse Santos gave that "his accountant forgot to file" the corporation report. And I bet the dog ate his homework.
“knit a sweater with his eyebrows” -- that’s a keeper!
Love the “practically knit a sweater” description!
Does Baruch assign homework?
🤣
You're right. Santos is the embodiment of today's republican party golden child. Lying, cheating, slimy-as-they-come grifter. When will we start requiring a basic level of scrutiny from, I don't know, fucking anyone, to even qualify to get on a ballot! We had a guy running for County Commission on Cape Cod (who actually won that seat previously) who served time in a federal prison for threatening to murder Ronald Reagan. I mean, really?? Is nothing disqualifying?? How about a basic knowledge of how government actually works? Some basic understanding of history?
I’d want to drill down on the details of that alleged “threat to kill” St. Ronnie. Right-wing prosecutor wreaking vengeance on a harmless comment perhaps?
Ron Beaty is an extremist right wing xenophobic, homophobic crackpot.
https://capecodwave.com/exclusive-details-of-ron-beatys-baggage-in-an-election-like-no-other/
Wowza! Is all I can say!
Let us remember with fondness Charles Ianello, who got elected to office in MA while a guest of the state at Walpole State Prison, now MCI Cedar Junction. Not too many of thoe around anymore.
Trump was hired to run because he had no interest in governance. He watched Fox and Fiends while others took the overnight intel briefing.
Describes TFG...to a tee.
A great article in the Atlantic yesterday by Steve Israel, who once held that seat. Plenty of “blame” to go around, Republican Party, Democratic Party, and the media. This debacle is a case in point about the deterioration of politics in the U.S. And the thing that suffers the most, and has become our undoing, is the truth.
For anyone who missed it:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/12/george-santos-fraud-long-island/672587/
Sorry, I should have included a link. Thanks for that!
itz paywalled
Try https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/how-a-perfectly-normal-new-york-suburb-elected-a-con-man/ar-AA15JKxI
Was ok yesterday. The.Atlantic isn't giving you one free? (I keep better than a half-dozen browsers, none of the majors, installed in my android snartphone. They handle paywalls differently. If I really, really want to read something one browser won't render, opening it with another browser often will reveal all. Also, you need to fool around in Settings etc with features like "Reader mode"—that's important. Also important, if you do this, try to avoid designating a default browser so you can select a different destination from browsers that let you choose. That's hard; android really wants a default browser. AND. If you www-search the exact hed, you can often find a legal free copy. Of course we'd never ever explore this territory to skirt the Substack paywall.) In the Steve Israel case, searching the hed 'How a Perfectly Normal New York Suburb Elected a Con Man' offers several options.
hey, thanks
a LOT of that went whizzing wayyy over my head, but think i caught enough to start.
i'll do what 7 yr olds do..start tapping buttons and see what happens.
The easiest place to start is with a search for a legal free reprint like the MSN link for Steve Israel's piece. (Like Lucian's Salon Substack pieces.) I let myself get too carried away with stuff like multiple browsers, but I've always liked the Avises that try harder, a/k/a innovate.
I read it this afternoon... it seems nobody took him--or his candidacy--seriously enough to do a thorough enough investigation.
this should be a lesson.
Now that Madison Cawthorn has been shown the door, the Republicans needed a new poster child. Santos fits the bill perfectly.
The marriage, educational, vocational, faith etc lies are nothing. As you note at the end of the piece that $700,000 to the campaign is what’s really going to need a good deal of ‘splaining.
Yep. That 700 grand is the “$64,000 question”...
Rassafrassing inflation! 😤
Get in line...
Not to copy those sad old birther tropes spouted by the R's, but is Mr. Santos actually a U.S. citizen? It seems that even that fact is cloaked in some mystery.
And speaking of the loathsome Cawthorn, Mr. Santos appears to wear the same sort of slimy smarmy look on his face that Madison habitually wore.
They had YR charm school training in High School and University.
I haven’t followed it that closely. Born in US or Brazil, I guess. Doesn’t matter for Congress, I believe. Omar wasn’t born in the US, I believe.
She is a naturalized citizen. "Omar became a citizen in 2000 at 17 years old, while Melania Trump got her citizenship six years later, a year after marrying our current president."
Wow, remember when she was the target of choice before Hunter's laptop?
Noel Casler maintains that she's an oxy junkie, which is why she always wears sunglasses. he says her eyes are pinned in bright daylight. it was pretty obvious that TFF snorts Adderall...watch one of his "talks" carefully.
Ted Cruz was born in Canada and Canada is still apologizing.
That’s what I thought so I’d wondered how he could run for president but never really cared enough to look and find out. I thought having an ugly wife and father who shot JFK should’ve disqualified him.
You have to be born in the US to be president. A naturalized citizen cannot be president.
McCain was born on a US naval base where his father was stationed. Therefore he was born in US territory.
Teddie is eligible, not suited but eligible. Both parents were American citizens. Beside we don’t want him.
His parents are US citizens.
Thank you. I remember the thing about McCain having been born in Panama, too. He obviously had US citizens as parents as well.
But you have to be a citizen. If he was born in Brazil, did he ever become a citizen?
with all those other lies, who'd be surprised if he neglected to do whatever you need to do to be a citizen?
👌
And QKevin McQArthy is welcoming him into the Repug Fold--that’s the only believable part of this story. The RNC Crime Syndicate will stoop as low as necessary to admit this “Devold (Deviled) empty suit--as with Herschel Walker.
Shapeshifter? Sir, are you insulting werewolves with this comparison? Happy New Year!
"Mucho feh," as Leon Botstein would say. This kid is a pathological liar. That he might be seated because the crackpot caucus needs another Republican body is a tip of the hat to Trump & The Crazies. The insurrection infection has made all bad things possible.
For what it's worth: A multi page Twitter item this morning by Peter Strzok alleges that one Andrew Intrater (a cousin to Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg and Putin supporter) donated $56,000 to committees tied to Santos. Intrater has been linked to money laundering for his Russian cousin so it may not be a reach that Santos is a Russian pawn. Strzok has a Substack account so it might be worth looking into this. Frankly, I hope this is all true and the FBI & DOJ are already on it.
www.theguardian.com/books/2020/sep/20/compromised-review-peter-strzok-donald-trump-russia-fbi
Excellent source for thinking over the Trump-Russian collusion issues.
So interesting! Ever watch "The Americans" on the FX channel? The things the Russians have done to infiltrate the U S is astounding. I am certain, however, that the CIA has pretty much done the same things.
Entertaining read! I haven’t heard the term “lying sack of shit” since my dad passed away.
American vernacular profanity can be very powerful and fitting, when deployed with accuracy.
Santos...easy target.
Still a great phrase though. The meter is the thing . . .
Applied to TFG daily from millions.
Amazing trail of lies. Let's hope it lands him in lots of hot water. And the GOP just keeps on rolling toward "destiny"....... What a bunch of amoral politicians, fraudsters, and liars in a once respectable political party. THANKS for digging out the sordid details Lucian... All the Best for the New Year.
This just in: George Santos: “I’m not a fraud. I’m not a fake." Well, actually, he is, per the Oxford Languages: "A fraud is a person intending to deceive others by unjustifiably claiming accomplishments intended to result in financial or personal gain."
He furthermore blames the NYTimes' “elitism” as the motivation behind the exaggeration of his credentials. I'm going back to bed.
Well OF COURSE, Santos' "embellishments" (LIES) are the fault of someone or something other than himself. That is standard scapegoat maneuver #1 for Repubbies, thanks to the 'ever blameless' tffg.
I will probably be called out as a body shamer for this so I will apologize upfront. On top of everything else I noticed after seeing a number of pictures of this guy that almost all of them are highly photoshopped except for one or two. In most cases they don't even look the real Santos. It appears to me that in actuality he looks like the Pilsbury Doughboy and not the person he is represented to be in most of his photos. I am guessing he had enough money from somewhere to seriously redo his physical image (in pictures) as well as his resume. And has a really serious pair of spanx in his wardrobe. This guy is the "catch me if you can" of American politics. What is truly sad is what this says about the ability of someone like him to even compete for a seat in our governing body.
Is it body shaming to say I think he looks like Marco Rubio?
Human shaming...
Scott Schear, I thought the same thing.
I've noticed how different Santos looks from still to still but, aside from the makeup, he can't hope to change much during one streaming interview like the one he gaveTulsi Gabbard filling in for Tucker Carlson.
That was a Fox classic!
Turns out he is really an Indonesian cook from a cruise ship.
Ask 74,000,000 Americans.
It boggles the mind that there is absolutely no code of ethics for holding public office. American citizen ?? Right age?? You’re good to go. Apparently even a felon can be president. Is that because there is nothing in the Constitution that states that the most amoral people cannot hold a position of power in government?? What can be done to change this?? Because, if we don’t address this “loophole”, we are doomed to be governed by the dregs of society.
Idiocracy is now a documentary:(
I find it breathtakingly to our country's credit that we didn't seem to need to vet candidates for public office. We have always had codes of ethics for public office. Santos is not serving - yet. What I wonder is why the hell would anyone vote for a candidate who claimed to have worked at Goldman Sachs.