CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — Embattled Congressman George Santos is now in custody on federal charges after surrendering to authorities on Lengthy Island.
He turned himself in round 9 a.m. Wednesday at federal courtroom in Central Islip. In accordance with the indictment, he faces seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of cash laundering, one rely of theft of public funds and two counts of constructing materially false statements to the Home of Representatives.
“He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully utilized for unemployment advantages that ought to have gone to New Yorkers who had misplaced their jobs as a result of pandemic, and lied to the Home of Representatives,” the U.S. legal professional’s workplace for the Japanese District of New York mentioned in a press release.
Prosecutors allege Santos obtained $50,000 in marketing campaign contributions from two separate people. As an alternative of utilizing them for political functions, he allegedly paid for private bills, together with designer clothes, to withdraw money and repay some private debt.
Throughout his transient time in workplace, Santos has been accused of violating campaign finance and conflict of interest laws, stealing cash meant for an Iraq War veteran’s dying dog, and lying about his college degree and work experience.
The FBI and Justice Department have been investigating his monetary disclosures, particularly how he raised a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} throughout his marketing campaign for New York’s third congressional district.
Lengthy Island voters and lawmakers, in the meantime, have been calling for Santos to be expelled from the House for months.
However even with strain mounting from either side of the aisle, Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy has mentioned he would solely name for Santos to resign if he was discovered responsible — not earlier than.
Santos’ workplace has not returned requires remark, however he made a promise to CBS News New York’s political reporter Marcia Kramer on “The Point” this previous weekend.
“I will not debate what the investigation entails till it is concluded, and I will come again in your present and provide you with a full element of it,” Santos mentioned.
Even when convicted of a criminal offense, he can solely be faraway from workplace if two-thirds of the Home of Representatives vote to expel him.
Keep on with CBS Information New York for the most recent updates on this growing story.
