Republican US Representative George Santos has been arrested, charged with fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and false statement
United States Representative George Santos, a Republican from New York, was arrested today on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The indictment alleges that Santos defrauded campaign donors of their cash when he allegedly used the money to pay for personal expenses, including luxury clothes.
The indictment also alleges that Santos laundered money through a shell company and that he stole more than $24,000 in unemployment insurance benefits. Finally, the indictment alleges that Santos made false statements to the House of Representatives about his financial condition.
Santos was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione and released on a $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 18, 2023.
"George Santos allegedly used his position as a public official to enrich himself and defraud the American people," said United States Attorney Breon Peace. "This indictment sends a clear message that those who abuse their public trust will be held accountable."
"The FBI is committed to investigating and holding accountable those who would use their positions of power for personal gain," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. "Today's arrest is a result of the hard work and dedication of our agents and partners, and we will continue to investigate these types of crimes."
If convicted, Santos faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud and money laundering, and up to five years in prison on each count of theft of public funds and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The indictment alleges that Santos defrauded campaign donors of their cash when he allegedly used the money to pay for personal expenses, including luxury clothes.
The indictment also alleges that Santos laundered money through a shell company and that he stole more than $24,000 in unemployment insurance benefits. Finally, the indictment alleges that Santos made false statements to the House of Representatives about his financial condition.
Santos was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione and released on a $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 18, 2023.
"George Santos allegedly used his position as a public official to enrich himself and defraud the American people," said United States Attorney Breon Peace. "This indictment sends a clear message that those who abuse their public trust will be held accountable."
"The FBI is committed to investigating and holding accountable those who would use their positions of power for personal gain," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. "Today's arrest is a result of the hard work and dedication of our agents and partners, and we will continue to investigate these types of crimes."
If convicted, Santos faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud and money laundering, and up to five years in prison on each count of theft of public funds and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.