Congressman’s Animal Charity Scandal Hits Home

By Stephanie Faughnan

HOWELL – Among the allegations questioning the veracity of newly elected Congressman George Santos (R-NY), one actually has a local connection.

A disabled Navy veteran claims Santos sought donations on his behalf to pay for surgical intervention to save the life of his beloved pup. Although the GoFundMe collection brought in more than $3,000, Richard Osthoff says the lawmaker never turned over one penny.

Osthoff was already down on his luck when his best friend Sapphire exhibited signs she wasn’t well. Out of work for two years after four surgeries himself, Osthoff found himself unable to completely pay his rent.

“After five months of not paying the full amount, I got evicted and moved close to the place where I grew up near the Howell Lanes.

I had a tent and a heater set up for the two of us,” said Osthoff.

Howell seemed to be a logical place for Osthoff to land when he was out of a home. Both his parents worked for the township; his mom did the municipality’s payroll for decades. Osthoff ’s father was part of Howell Township’s Fire Prevention office.

Just before he be-