A veteran who claims former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) stole thousands of dollars from a 2016 fundraiser for his dying dog has criticized President Trump. to come Punishment of a convicted criminal.
Navy veteran Richard Osthoff told MSNBC’s Chris Jansing On Monday he said he had not eaten since Trump granted pardon to Santos on Friday, and the president said,[stuck] “He stabbed me in the gut with a knife.”
Osthoff said, “This is outrageous. President Trump, this is another in a long line of his disrespect for our military and our veterans.” He also said Trump is “using his pardon power against everything that is decent, good and holy.”
In 2023, Osthoff and retired police Sgt. Michael Boll told patch Seven years ago, Santos – calling himself Anthony Devolder – Closed After raising $3,000 they set up a GoFundMe page for Osthoff’s tumor-stricken dog, Sapphire.
Sapphire ultimately died in January 2017, with Osthoff saying she had to pay for the dog’s euthanasia and cremation.
Santos, 37, served just less than three months of an 87-month sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, he faces. pleaded guilty In August 2024.
According to a copy of the commutation pardon attorney Ed Martin Posted social platform on friday
Santos told CNN’s Dana Bash on sunday he will pay only compensation If required by law. But Osthoff believes he has no plans to do so.
“Their whole purpose is to keep money away from people they owe money to,” he said. “I’m not surprised he doesn’t want to pay them back. He’s laughing all the way to the bank at this point.”
Osthoff said that after the allegations against Santos were made public in 2023, she got a new dog through Beth Ostrowski Stern, the wife of radio host Howard Stern. Osthoff now lives in New Jersey with three dogs.
The Navy veteran said that since he went public, many people, some of whom he does not know personally, have reached out via phone or letter to investigate. However, he still has anger towards Santos.
“I love [Sapphire]And for the most part I’ve gotten over it, but it still hurts. Every time I see him,” Osthoff said.
