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Samuel Miele, a campaign fundraiser associated with Rep. George Santos, has been indicted on federal charges in New York for allegedly impersonating a top aide to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while seeking donations for Santos’ campaign.
The indictment, which was unsealed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, includes four counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The indictment reveals that Miele, aged 27, played a role in fundraising for both of Santos’ campaigns in 2020 and 2022. It alleges that Miele falsely posed as McCarthy’s aide in order to solicit campaign donations for Santos from multiple potential contributors. Additionally, Miele is said to have profited from this deception by taking a 15% commission on each donation, thereby enriching himself.
According to the indictment, Miele admitted to his actions in a letter sent to Santos on September 26, 2021. In the letter, he confessed to faking his identity to a significant donor and described himself as “high risk, high reward in everything I do.”
This legal development comes in the wake of criminal charges filed against Rep. George Santos earlier this year. Santos, a New York Republican, faces charges including fraud, theft, money laundering, and making false statements.
Santos represents a House district encompassing parts of Queens in New York City and Nassau County on Long Island. This district is notably known for its affluence, ranking as one of the wealthiest congressional districts in both New York and the entire United States.
Miele’s alleged actions involved a scheme wherein he reportedly made phone calls and sent emails to potential donors, portraying himself as Dan Meyer, Chief of Staff to McCarthy. He allegedly utilized this impersonation to gain campaign donations for Santos’ cause, ultimately profiting from his dishonesty.
The indictment details Miele’s use of an email account bearing the first initial and last name of McCarthy’s aide, and how he signed the emails using the aide’s full name and title. As of now, Miele has not issued any public comments in response to the charges. This case highlights the serious consequences associated with fraudulent activities within political fundraising efforts.
