Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is set to plead guilty to multiple criminal charges this week, marking a significant shift from his previous defiant stance.
What Happened: Santos has agreed to a plea deal to circumvent a trial that was due to commence next month. The charges levelled against him, including misleading campaign donors and fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits, could have resulted in significant jail time if he had been found guilty.
U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, who is overseeing the case, is yet to approve the plea deal. A hearing in person has been scheduled for Monday afternoon, reports The Hill.
Santos was initially charged with 13 counts in May 2023, with an additional 10 counts added in October of the same year.
The ex-congressman was expelled from Congress following a report from the Ethics Committee that revealed he had deceived donors and misappropriated campaign funds.
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The plea deal comes on the heels of admissions of guilt by two of Santos’ former aides last year. His ex-campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, and a former fundraiser, Samuel Miele, both pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
Why It Matters: The case against Santos has been closely watched due to his historic tenure as the first openly gay Republican to be elected to the House.
His expulsion and subsequent charges have raised questions about campaign finance oversight and the ethical conduct of elected officials.
The guilty pleas of his former aides have further underscored these concerns. The outcome of Santos’ case could potentially influence future campaign finance regulations and the ethical standards expected of public officials.
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This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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