Victim of Fraud Claims Santos’ Prison Release Felt Like Trump ‘Stabbed Me in the Gut’

A retired Navy veteran, Richard Osthoff, recently expressed deep frustration over a situation involving former congressman George Santos. Osthoff claims Santos defrauded him out of funds meant to care for his dying service dog, Sapphire. He’s now left feeling disillusioned, especially after Donald Trump commuted Santos’s prison sentence.

Osthoff’s emotional remarks on MSNBC reflected on his experience. Back in 2016, Santos allegedly raised $3,000 through GoFundMe for Sapphire’s care, but Osthoff believes Santos pocketed the money instead. This matter never resulted in criminal charges against Santos, despite Osthoff’s accusations. Santos, for his part, has called the allegations “shocking” and denied any wrongdoing.

Santos made headlines in 2022 as the first openly LGBTQ+ Republican elected to Congress, but his term was marred by fabrications about his biography. In 2023, a House ethics committee revealed how he misused campaign funds for personal gains, leading to his expulsion and guilty pleas for wire fraud and identity theft.

After serving three months of his sentence, Santos was released after Trump’s commutation. Trump admitted to Newsmax that Santos had lied but emphasized his support for the former president. Osthoff was appalled by the commutation, feeling it trivialized his service and the sacrifices of veterans. He criticized Trump, saying, “It’s shameful and a disgrace,” comparing the situation to previous instances where Trump allegedly showed disrespect toward veterans.

Osthoff’s feelings echo a broader sentiment among many veterans who perceive a disconnect between their sacrifices and political actions. In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly 60% of veterans stated they feel the government does not prioritize their needs.

Amid this controversy, Santos has made public appearances asserting that his punishment was overly harsh. He has returned to platforms like Cameo, where he offers personalized messages, and expressed a desire to engage in prison reform.

This case highlights ongoing issues around trust in political figures and the treatment of veterans in society. As Osthoff himself summarized, feeling betrayed adds a heavy layer to his military service, questioning the core values he upheld while in uniform.



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