(UnitedVoice.com) – Rep. George Santos (R-NY) should be riding high in his first year in Congress, working on behalf of his constituents. Instead, he’s facing jail time.
On May 10, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced a 13-count indictment against Santos, which was handed down the day prior by a federal grand jury. According to prosecutors, law enforcement arrested the congressman on Wednesday morning, and he was arraigned later that afternoon.
Prosecutors have charged Santos with three counts of money laundering, two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of theft of public funds. All of the crimes were allegedly committed between 2020 and 2022.
Congressman George Santos Charged with Fraud, Money Laundering, Theft of Public Funds, and False Statements https://t.co/J5cD48fSYT
— US Attorney EDNY (@EDNYnews) May 10, 2023
The US attorney laid out the charges in the press release. Prosecutors claim two donors gave his campaign $25,000, but it was transferred to Santos’ personal account. He’s accused of using the money to buy designer clothes and handle other personal debts. He also allegedly collected unemployment while employed during the pandemic and received more than $24,000 in benefits.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly thanked the US Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the DOJ for working to root out “public corruption.”
US Attorney Breon Peace said the congressman has allegedly been involved in multiple “fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations.” He is accused of using his position as a public official to “enrich himself.” Further, Peace said his office is committed to holding “public officials accountable to the constituents who elected them.”
Rep. Santos commented on the charges and his arrest on Twitter, simply saying, “WITCH HUNT!” He is facing decades in prison if he’s convicted of the charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
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