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Disgraced Rep. George Santos allegedly conned a disabled, homeless veteran out of thousands of dollars donated to save the man’s dying service dog, according to a stomach-turning report.

The alleged account adds to Santos’ growing list of shady behavior from a largely forged resume to fabricated Jewish heritage which has entangled the freshman congressman since he was elected to represent parts of Long Island and Queens.

The veteran, Richard Osthoff, told the local news site Patch that he met Santos, who introduced himself as Anthony Devolder, during a tough time in his life in May 2016.

Osthoff, who was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2002, was living in a tent on the side of Route 9 in Howell, New Jersey, with his beloved service dog Sapphire at the time, Patch reported. There are no official records of George Santos’ animal charity “Friends of Pets United” being registered as a tax-exempt organization or charity.AP

Sapphire was suffering from a life-threatening stomach tumor that was growing by the day and surgery to remove the tumor would cost $3,000, according to the vet’s estimate, Osthoff said.

The veteran, who couldn’t afford the surgery, said a veterinary technician took him aside and offered assistance via a pet charity called Friends of Pets United run by Anthony Devolder, an alias used by Santos in the past.

Devolder set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for Sapphire and once it hit its goal of $3,000, he closed and deleted the fundraising page and became hard to reach before he disappeared altogether, Osthoff told Patch. Richard Osthoff promoted the GoFundMe on Facebook in 2016.Facebook/Richard Osthoff

The Navy vet, now 47, never saw a penny of the donations and his beloved service dog died on Jan. 15, 2017, according to the outlet.

“Little girl never left my side in 10 years,” Osthoff told Patch. “I went through two bouts of seriously considering suicide, but thinking about leaving her without me saved my life. I loved that dog so much, I inhaled her last breaths when I had her euthanized.”

His account was corroborated by fellow veteran and retired New Jersey police Sgt. Michael Boll, who told Patch when he heard what happened, tried to help Osthoff by reaching out to Santos. Fundraising for Sapphire achieved its goal in June 2016.Facebook/Richard Osthoff

“I contacted [Santos] and told him ‘You’re messing with a veteran,’ and that he needed to give back the money or use it to get Osthoff another dog,” Boll said. “He was totally uncooperative on the phone.”

Osthoff said Santos requested he take Sapphire to a Queens’ veterinarian instead of the New Jersey practice because he had “credit” with the practice in the Big Apple.

The vet tech who told Osthoff about Santos’ charity drove the pair to the Queens practice, where a vet said Sapphire’s tumor was inoperable.

Santos claimed that he instead donated the $3,000 to other dogs in need because Sapphire wasn’t a candidate for surgery and Osthoff didn’t do things his way, according to a text exchange viewed by Patch. Sapphire died on Jan. 15, 2017, after battling a stomach tumor.Facebook/Richard Osthoff

After that, Osthoff was never able to reach Santos again.

There are no official records of Santos’ animal charity “Friends of Pets United” being registered as a tax-exempt organization or charity, according to the New York Times.

Another woman told the paper that she was scammed by the animal rescue group as well.

She was supposed to be the beneficiary of a 2017 fundraising event in which Santos charged $50 per person, but never received any of the funds. She told the Times that Santos offered excuse after excuse when asked about the funding.

Santos denied even knowing Osthoff when asked about the veteran’s claims.

“Fake,” the embattled lawmaker texted Semafor. “No clue who this is.”

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The empire strikes out: Institutionalists failed to kill the stablecoin bill

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The empire strikes out: Institutionalists failed to kill the stablecoin bill

The empire strikes out: Institutionalists failed to kill the stablecoin bill

Despite a relentless campaign from institutional powerbrokers like Senator Elizabeth Warren, the US Senate advanced the GENIUS Act, marking a watershed moment for stablecoin regulation and exposing the limits of establishment resistance.

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Senate passes GENIUS stablecoin bill amid concerns over systemic risk

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Senate passes GENIUS stablecoin bill amid concerns over systemic risk

Senate passes GENIUS stablecoin bill amid concerns over systemic risk

The US Senate voted to pass the GENIUS Act, a bill regulating stablecoins, but observers believe lawmakers may have ignored stability concerns in Treasury markets.

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The new Kia EV6 GT is a 650 hp powerhouse and it’s even more affordable

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The new Kia EV6 GT is a 650 hp powerhouse and it's even more affordable

The new EV6 GT is the fastest Kia vehicle to date, packing nearly 650 horsepower. It’s quicker than a Ferrari and less than half the cost. Kia’s first electric sports car just got a big upgrade with added power, style, in-car tech, and more “GT” than ever before. And somehow, it’s even cheaper than the outgoing model in the UK.

Meet the new Kia EV6 GT, an affordable electric sports car

In 2021, Kia introduced the EV6 GT, its most powerful production vehicle ever made, boasting 576 hp. With a significant mid-life refresh, the new model takes it to the next level.

Powered by a dual-motor AWD powertrain, the new Kia EV6 GT is now capable of producing up to 650 hp (+11% from the outgoing model) and 770 Nm (+4%) max torque.

The added power is good for a 0 to 62 mph sprint in just 3.5 seconds. It’s also equipped with a new 84 kWh battery pack, 8.5% bigger than the previous EV6 GT, providing a WLTP range of up to 279 miles.

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With 800V ultra-rapid charging capabilities, the Kia EV6 refresh can recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes, even with the bigger battery.

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The new Kia EV6 GT (Source: Kia UK)

Kia added a few fun features, including an enhanced GT Mode, which “unleashes the full, untapped potential of the EV6” with max power and torque at the push of a button. A dedicated neon button on the steering wheel activates the new dedicated drive mode.

The new model features the popular Virtual Gear Shift, a first for a Kia vehicle. Borrowed from the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, the feature simulates the feeling and sounds of a six-speed paddle-operated transmission.

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The new Kia EV6 GT interior (Source: Kia UK)

Kia refined the interior with “a significant overhaul,” including new materials and its next-gen infotainment system.

The new Kia connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system features dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens in a curved panoramic setup.

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Kia EV6 GT refresh interior (Source: Kia UK)

Kia opened orders for the EV6 GT refresh in the UK on Wednesday, June 18, starting at £59,985 ($80,500), a £2,690 ($3,500) price reduction from the previous model. Deliveries in the UK will begin over the next few days.

The new EV6 GT was first launched in Korea last November, starting at 72.2 million won ($50,000). According to a Kia official, the upgraded model “will become a new standard that will change the paradigm of high-performance electric vehicles.”

The 2025 EV6 GT starts at $63,800 in the US, with up to 641 hp. That’s nearly half the cost of the Porsche Taycan 4S, which starts at $119,400. It also has a built-in NACS port, allowing you to recharge at Tesla Superchargers.

Looking to test out Kia’s electric sports car for yourself? We’ve got you covered. You can use our link to find 2025 Kia EV6 GT models in your area (trusted affiliate link).

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