New Documentary Explores the ‘Human Side’ of George Santos

George Santos, the disgraced former congressman whose fall from grace was capped by expulsion from the House, is participating in a documentary film that aims to show his “human side.”

According to The New York Times, Jenner Furst, a Peabody-award winning documentarian, is leading the project about Santos’ life and times.

Furst, known for a documentary style that he calls true comedy, scored an especially big hit with the film “Fyre Fraud,” which hit Hulu in 2019 and went behind the scenes of a fraudulent upscale music festival.

“I’m a scammer whisperer,” Furst said, with a laugh.

“Fyre Fraud” raised eyebrows, however, after it was revealed that Furst had compensated the story’s apparent villain, Billy McFarland, to license materials used in the film. McFarland had pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was ordered to pay restitution of $26 million.

Santos also will receive financial compensation for participating in the film, the Times reported, in the form of an archival materials fee. Furst told the Times that the arrangement was common in the documentary industry, which has taken off since streaming giants Hulu and Netflix began investing heavily in the genre.

Furst reportedly would not disclose the amount Santos would be paid, but said it would cover photographs, videos, and “a lot of personal stuff that people have never seen.”

While Furst is aware that many have objections to Santos profiting from his infamy, he contends that his work helps ensure that victims are compensated.

“The only way that people can get their money back is somehow for there to be money created, to put money in their hands,” Furst said.

The Times reported that filming on the documentary is underway and will include interviews with many of Santos’ closest confidantes.

Santos, a former Republican representative from New York, faces 23 felony counts, including wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors allege he defrauded campaign donors and the federal government through a number of criminal activities. Santos has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Furst told the Times that he wants to bring a modicum of humanity to Santos’ story amid the many lurid accusations.

“I really focus more on the human side of the story,” Furst said, saying he would attempt to understand Santos’ childhood, insecurities, heartbreaks, and betrayals.

Asked if Santos’ conduct, alleged and actual, should disqualify him from office, Furst said it was a “silly question.”

“There is the illusion that there’s good people and bad people,” he told the Times. “Ultimately, there still is truth. And I am committed to truth. And somehow, as someone committed to truth in a post-truth era, I don’t think I can be as religiously attached to the existence of truth anymore.”

Is he worried about Santos not being truthful with him during filming?

“He could sit and tell me lies the entire time,” he said. “Ultimately, based on my ability to bear out the truth around him, that … becomes pure entertainment.”