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Jimmy Williams
Former Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, is expected to plead guilty to multiple charges in his federal fraud case during a court hearing scheduled for Monday on Long Island, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Santos has been facing a series of financial crime charges, including wire fraud, theft of public funds, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. The charges stem from allegations that Santos lied to Congress about his financial status, collected unemployment benefits while employed, and used campaign contributions for personal expenses, such as designer clothing.
The expected guilty plea marks a significant development in the case, which has drawn widespread attention due to Santos’ high-profile status and the serious nature of the allegations against him. Jury selection for his trial was set to begin on September 9, but the court hearing on Monday may change the course of the legal proceedings.
The person familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Santos’ lawyers and federal prosecutors jointly requested Monday’s court hearing, indicating that a plea deal had been negotiated. Details of the plea, including the specific charges Santos will plead guilty to, have not been disclosed.
Santos had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintained his innocence, dismissing the investigation as a “witch hunt.” However, in a December interview, Santos acknowledged that a plea deal was not out of the question, expressing a strong desire to avoid prison.
The charges against Santos involve a wide range of financial misconduct. He is accused of lying about his educational background, falsely claiming to have graduated from New York University and Baruch College, and of working at top Wall Street firms. Prosecutors have argued that these lies were part of a broader pattern of deception aimed at furthering his political and personal ambitions.
Two of Santos’ former campaign aides have already pleaded guilty to charges related to his campaign. Last October, ex-treasurer Nancy Marks admitted to a fraud conspiracy charge and implicated Santos in a scheme involving fake campaign finance reports. In November, Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud, admitting that he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide to raise funds for Santos.
Santos was expelled from Congress in December after an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” that he had broken the law and exploited his public position for personal gain. The plea hearing on Monday will be a critical moment in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the disgraced former congressman.
