The House Ethics Panel will not push for the expulsion of George Santos

The House of Representatives Ethics Committee will not call for the expulsion of Rep. George Santos as a result of the nearly nine-month investigation, the panel’s chairman, Rep. Michael Guest, said Wednesday.

Mr. Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, would not characterize the commission’s findings in its report, which is expected to be released as early as Thursday. But he said the panel would refrain from making a recommendation on Mr Santos’ fate, saying such a process would have taken place “well into next year”.

Nevertheless, Mr Guest said the report should provide members with the information they need to decide whether a punishment – ​​whether expulsion or something less severe, such as a censure – is appropriate.

The panel investigated a series of alleged criminal and ethical violations, including allegations that the congressman fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits, failed to properly file financial disclosures, sexually harassed an employee and violated conflict of interest laws violate.

Mr. Santos has already survived two deportation attempts in the House of Representatives. The second of these came just two weeks ago, when a group of New York Republicans pushed for a majority vote. That measure was convincingly defeated, with numerous Democrats voting not to expel him on the grounds that removal while an ethics investigation and criminal proceedings were underway would set a dangerous precedent.

Some members of the House of Representatives, led by a handful of fellow Republicans from New York, have said they would consider another attempt to impeach Mr. Santos if the Ethics Commission report found criminal misconduct or serious violation of ethics would be found.

One of those New York Republicans, Representative Nick LaLota of Long Island, said Wednesday that he would reintroduce a motion to expel Mr. Santos once his colleagues had a chance to digest the report. He said he expected the renewed resolution would have a better chance of passage.

Santos, 35, who represents parts of Long Island and Queens, faces a 23-count federal indictment, including charges of money laundering, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York have charged Mr. Santos with, among other things, stealing from his donors and falsifying election campaign records.

Mr Santos has resisted calls for his resignation and has pleaded not guilty.