UPDATE
Aug 19, 2024 3:50 PM CDT
George Santos pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, averting a federal trial in a case that led to his expulsion from Congress. "I betrayed the trust of my constituents and supporters. I deeply regret my conduct," the New York Republican said as he entered the plea in a Long Island courtroom, the AP reports. Sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 7. Santos, who said he plan to make amends, owes at least $370,000 in restitution. Federal guidelines call for a prison term of more than six years. Also on Monday, a judge in Manhattan threw out Santos' copyright lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel over the comedian's use of clips Santos made on the Cameo app. The judge said Kimmel used the clips in commentary, which falls under fair use, per the AP.
Aug 17, 2024 5:00 PM CDT
Former US Rep. George Santos plans to plead guilty Monday to multiple felony counts, prosecutors said, heading off a federal trial scheduled for next month. Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December, faces 23 felony charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds, the New York Times reports. He could change his mind about the plea before the Monday afternoon hearing, but multiple people with ties to the case said Santos has told prosecutors of his planned plea.
Terms of any agreement, including a possible sentence, were not clear on Saturday. Although he's repeatedly denied accusations of fabricating his resume, grifting, and other wrongdoing, the Washington Post points out that court records show Santos has been negotiating a plea bargain for months. Santos, a New York Republican, was elected in 2022 to represent portions of Queens and Long Island. Representatives of the relevant US attorney's office declined to comment on the case, per NBC News. (More George Santos stories.)
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