Holy Shit! That's a Maaaaaaaaan, baby! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_DeLauro

Faked his death to be deployed later under new identity? This would not be the first instance of this. Kathy Griffin appears to be Anderson Cooper's (Vanderbilt) "dead brother" transitioned or playing dressup. "Griffin" name has some significance, suspected to be broadcast of Vanderbilt family ties to ancient Genoan Republic which has a griffin on its family crest [SPECULATION]:

When Genoa emerged as a major seafaring power in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, griffins commenced to be depicted as part of the republic's coat of arms, rearing at the sides of the shield bearing the Cross of St. George.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin