Richard Osthoff, the New Jersey veteran who said Rep. George Santos stole $3,000 that was collected in a fundraiser for the disabled man’s dying dog, spent the July 4th holiday getting to know his new service dog. (Rich Osthoff/Facebook)
(Tribune News Service) — Richard Osthoff, the New Jersey veteran who said Rep. George Santos (R-NY) stole $3,000 that was collected in a fundraiser for the disabled man’s dying dog, spent the July 4th holiday getting to know his new service dog.
The dog, a pit bull service-dog-in-training named Cinder, was given to Osthoff by the N.J. Veterans Network, a charity that provides veterans in the state with resources, at Florham Park’s July 4th parade. Osthoff said he served in the U.S. Navy until 2005 when he was honorably discharged.
Cinder joins what the N.J. Veterans Network calls “Shadow’s Brigade,” named for the group’s own service dog, Shadow, a pit bull mix, who regularly visits veterans shelters and hospitals to “bring joy to our veterans community,” said Union native Michael Boll, president of the N.J. Veterans Network.
Osthoff was also presented with a shadowbox holding his military uniform and a flag that was flown over the Statehouse in Trenton, provided by state Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, Boll said.
Adam Rempher of Defalco Towing, a partner of the N.J. Veterans Network that is helping to provide the training for Cinder, said he is committed helping “to provide our veterans and their families anything that can help get them through some hard times.”
Osthoff, who previously said he was questioned by the FBI about allegations that Santos took money raised for Osthoff’s dog Sapphire’s medical care, was outside a Long Island courtroom when Santos appeared there for a hearing on June 30.
Osthoff shouted at Santos when he left the building. “You killed Sapphire, George. You killed my dog,” he said.
Santos, who was indicted in May on 13 counts related to financial fraud, pleaded not guilty and is free on $500,000 bond. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Santos’ next court date is Sept. 7, set by the judge so Santos’ attorneys can review the 80,000 documents turned over by prosecutors.
Emails to Santos’ office were not returned.
Osthoff said he was homeless and living in a tent off Route 9 in Howell with a cat and his dog Sapphire, who had a large tumor, in 2015. That’s when he met Anthony Devolder, a name used by Santos in the past, through a veterinary technician in Howell who said a charity run by Devolder could help pay for Sapphire’s surgery.
That charity, Friends for Pets United, has never been registered with the Internal Revenue Service, according to the IRS.
Osthoff said Santos started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Sapphire’s surgery before Osthoff had even spoken to Santos. Osthoff said he never received money from the fundraiser for his dog’s care, and the dog died in early 2017.
“He gave us nothing. I had to raise money to have her euthanized and have her cremated,” he said.
Osthoff’s new dog will live with him and his two dogs, Ruby and Diamond, at his Freehold home.
KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com
©2023 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit nj.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
