Pardoned former GOP Rep. George Santos reminded on Veterans Day that he was accused of scamming Navy vet

"He was quickly met with replies from social media users who recalled former sailor Richard Osthoff telling Patch in January 2023 that Santos once raised $3,000 to have a tumor removed from his service dog's stomach, then kept the cash for himself and left Sapphire to die after the growth became enlarged. Didn't you screw over a vet with your scam site? Didn't that poor vet's service dog die because you stole the money? Your insincerity on this day is doubly gross."

"Little girl never left my side in 10 years. I went through two bouts of seriously considering suicide, but thinking about leaving her without me saved my life, Osthoff told the outlet. I loved that dog so much, I inhaled her last breaths when I had her euthanized. Osthoff, who was homeless and disabled at the time, said he resorted to panhandling so he could afford to have Sapphire put out of her misery and cremated."

"Santos at one point denied knowing Osthoff and dismissed his accusation as shocking and insane. When Santos was released from prison in October after less than three months when President Trump commuted his seven-year sentence on unrelated fraud charges Osthoff told CNN he felt gutted all over again. I was devastated, completely devastated that the president would do to this to me and the veteran community, Osthoff said."

George Santos posted a Veterans Day message on X thanking veterans. Social media users reminded others of Richard Osthoff's claim that Santos raised $3,000 for a tumor removal for his service dog Sapphire, then kept the funds and left the dog to die. Osthoff described deep emotional trauma, homelessness, panhandling to afford euthanasia and cremation, and suicidal despair tied to Sapphire's illness and death. Santos denied knowing Osthoff and called the accusation shocking. Santos was released from prison in October after President Trump commuted his seven-year sentence, prompting Osthoff to say veterans deserve an apology and consider legal action.

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