George Santos, the Republican congressman who repeatedly lied in the campaign about his career, his life and the origin of his income, was arrested this Wednesday on charges of 13 crimes that include fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and deception of Congress.
In the words of US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, Santos “allegedly misappropriated contributions from his supporters, fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and lied in disclosures to the House of Representatives.”
The indictment, approved by a grand jury and delivered to the federal court in Central Islip, New York, consists of thirteen counts: three of money laundering, seven of wire fraud, one of theft of public funds and two others consisting of “making statements materially false to the House of Representatives”.
“This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and outright misrepresentations,” prosecutor Breon Peace stated. From the outset, the congressman resorted “to repeated dishonesty and deceit to ascend the halls of Congress and enrich himself,” said the representative of the public ministry.
Santos illegally applied for unemployment benefits intended for New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.”
Breon Peacefederal prosecutor
Santos also used political contributions from different donors “to line his pockets”; he illegally filed for “unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.” And, since he was already well known, he “lied to the House of Representatives.” A jewel.
Santos, 34, will be arraigned this afternoon before Federal Judge Arlene R. Lindsay in Central Islip Federal Court.
