Deep Cover: Episode 4 - The Donor

Host: Pushkin Industries
Release Date: August 28, 2024
Hosted by: Jake Halpern
Producer: Amy Gaines McQuade

Introduction

In Deep Cover: George Santos, Pushkin Industries delves into the intricate web of deceit spun by former Republican Congressman George Santos from New York. Episode 4, titled The Donor, offers a compelling exploration of Santos' relationships with his donors, the fraudulent activities that led to his downfall, and the profound impact on those who trusted him. Through intimate interviews and detailed investigative reporting, host Jake Halpern and producer Amy Gaines McQuade uncover the true extent of Santos' double life.

Meeting the Donor: Kathy Soref

The episode centers around Kathy Soref, a long-time Republican donor from Long Island's North Shore, who became one of Santos' significant supporters. Nysa Woomer, Santos' former communications director, introduces Kathy as someone deeply embedded in conservative politics, having voted for every Republican presidential candidate since Gerald Ford.

Timestamp 02:15
Nysa Woomer: "Kathy's donors play a significant role in the indictments against him."

Kathy recounts her initial encounter with Santos at a fundraising event in Matatuck, where she was impressed by his charisma and perceived viability as a candidate who could win in a traditionally Democratic district.

Timestamp 05:33
George Santos: "George described himself as being independently well to do and felt that it was his civic duty to participate in public service."

Despite her reservations about his ideal candidacy, Kathy was persuaded to support Santos, contributing significantly to his campaigns and leveraging her network to build his political capital.

The Deceptive Facade

As the narrative unfolds, the episode reveals the extent of Santos' fabrications. Claims about his educational background, personal struggles, and professional experience were meticulously constructed to gain the trust and financial support of donors like Kathy.

Timestamp 10:35
Nysa Woomer: "Kathy has said to me that she had no clue about what George Santos was up to. And I believe her on that."

Kathy shares anecdotes about Santos embellishing his life story, including falsely claiming his mother attended Harvard and alleging he survived cancer. These lies were instrumental in building his image as a relatable and resilient candidate.

Timestamp 11:09
George Santos: "He told me that his mother went to Harvard."

Timestamp 11:20
George Santos: "He did tell me that."

Unraveling the Fraud

The episode delves into the criminal activities that led to Santos' indictment. Charging donors' credit cards without authorization and exceeding contribution limits were among the fraudulent actions that tarnished his political career.

Timestamp 20:39
Nysa Woomer: "Contributor number 12 was charged $15,800, almost $16,000 in contributions, which is $10,000 over what is technically allowed."

This overcharging was part of a broader scheme where Santos directed funds through Redstone Strategies, a company he heavily influenced, to funnel money into his personal accounts. The indictment highlighted over $40,000 in unauthorized contributions and significant misuse of these funds for personal luxury expenses.

Timestamp 22:05
Nysa Woomer: "He used the credit card billing information to transfer more than $11,000 to Santos' personal bank account."

Impact on Donors and Political Repercussions

Kathy Soref grapples with the betrayal, feeling defrauded and responsible for introducing Santos to her network of donors. Her frustrations extend beyond personal loss to systemic failures within the Republican Party's vetting processes.

Timestamp 31:12
Kathy Soref: "He would never have won as himself."

She criticizes Joe Cairo, the head of the Republican Committee in Nassau County, for inadequate vetting of Santos, which allowed his fraudulent activities to go unnoticed for so long.

Timestamp 35:09
Joe Cairo: "Unfortunately, we rely on the person to be truthful to us."

Despite initial efforts to expel Santos from Congress, the necessary two-thirds majority was not achieved immediately. However, a subsequent resolution in December 2023 ultimately led to Santos' expulsion, resulting in the loss of his seat for the Republicans and flipping it to the Democrats during a special election.

Timestamp 26:30
Jake Halpern: "The House votes to keep Santos in office for now. But in this moment, Nysa is done."

Systemic Failures and Lessons Learned

Nysa Woomer emphasizes the need to understand the systemic flaws that allowed Santos to deceive so many without early detection. The episode critiques the lack of rigorous background checks and the reliance on candidates' self-reported information, highlighting how simple verification steps could have prevented the widespread fraud.

Timestamp 38:28
Nysa Woomer: "The more interesting question is how does something like this happen?"

The episode also explores the internal dynamics of the Santos campaign, particularly a vulnerability report commissioned in 2021 that uncovered inconsistencies in his background. Despite these findings, the campaign chose to move forward, illustrating a critical lapse in accountability and transparency.

Timestamp 41:10
Nysa Woomer: "The report cost nearly $17,000. The results come back, and they find a lot of the same things that had been laid out that would later come to light."

Conclusion: The Aftermath and Moving Forward

As the dust settles, Kathy Soref reflects on the personal and political fallout from Santos' deceit. She expresses anger not only towards Santos but also towards the Republican Party for failing to safeguard her trust and investments.

Timestamp 37:40
Kathy Soref: "I'm done. I'm never talking to you again."

The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on the broader implications of Santos' actions, urging political parties to implement more stringent vetting processes to prevent similar scandals in the future.

Timestamp 34:16
Nysa Woomer: "Understanding the forces that put him in this position and allowed him to get away with seemingly so many lies and crimes without consequence for quite some time, that is the bigger issue to be addressing here."

Notable Quotes

• "He would never have won as himself."
  Kathy Soref [31:12]

• "He's accused of stealing to, you know, it's the old Machiavellian means to an end."
  George Santos [31:17]

• "The more interesting question is how does something like this happen?"
  Nysa Woomer [34:08]

• "I am furious with him. I mean, George pulled the wool over his eyes. It's like Mr. Ripley meets Catch me if you can."
  George Santos [35:09]

Final Thoughts

Deep Cover: Episode 4 - The Donor meticulously unpacks the layers of deception orchestrated by George Santos, highlighting the personal betrayals and systemic oversights that facilitated his rise and precipitous fall. Through Kathy Soref's narrative, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the human and political costs of fraudulent politics. This episode serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the necessity for vigilance and integrity in political endorsements and campaign funding.