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FABRICATIONS: GOP Pinocchio Caucus adds Tennessee Congressman Ogles

FABRICATIONS: GOP Pinocchio Caucus adds Tennessee Congressman Ogles

SHADY: Republican congressman refuses to answer questions about missing memorial funds

It appears that Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) will be joining his House colleagues, Representatives George Santos (R-NY) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) in what should be named the GOP Pinocchio Caucus.

An investigation by Tennessee’s NewsChannel 5 failed to find any corroboration to substantiate claims the freshman lawmaker Ogles made about his educational and professional past.

While campaigning, Rep. Ogles repeatedly referred to himself as an “economist” during interviews with the news media, but there are no records to back up the legislator’s claims.

NewsChannel 5 reported on Thursday that they had found little evidence that Representative Ogles had received formal training in economics despite describing himself as an economist in public comments several times,”  Newsweek reported.

“Ogles’ congressional biography says he studied “policy and economics” at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), but the university didn’t release details to NewsChannel 5,” the publication continued,.

Congressman Ogles’ embellishments didn’t stop with his educational background.

The former volunteer reserve deputy with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office claimed to have assisted in an international sex trafficking investigation.

“Nothing in Mr. Ogles’s training or personnel file that indicates he had any involvement in ‘international sex trafficking’ in his capacity as a reserve deputy,” WCSO spokesperson Sharon Puckett said.

Failing to meet minimum standards, to show up to key training meetings, or to make progress in the field led to Ogles leaving the program in 2011 after just two years.

Santos and Luna have both come under fire for inconsistencies in their statements and assertions when it comes to their respective backgrounds. Prior to Ogles getting his turn in the spotlight, Luna was in the hot seat.

Though Santos appears to be in the lead when it comes to stretching the truth and replacing it with figments of his imagination, revelations that yet another young Republican lied about their education and experience prior to being elected is a trend in the wrong direction.

With a barely-there majority, at least three of the nine votes that the GOP — and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) — needs are tainted by allegations of falsehoods.

In a world of legislators like Reps. Andy Ogles, George Santos, and Anna Paulina Luna – be Rep. Ritchie Santos (D-NY), Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Original reporting by Phil Williams at NewsChannel 5 and by Darragh Roche at Newsweek

Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick

Ty Ross
News journalist for Occupy Democrats.

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