Santos denies 13 charges in court.

George Santos Pleads Not Guilty to 13-Count Indictment for Financial Crimes

Embattled Representative Faces Serious Charges

Rep. George Santos (R-NY) appeared in federal court on Wednesday to plead not guilty to financial crime charges. The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that Santos was indicted on 13 counts, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements to the House of Representatives.

If convicted, Santos could face up to 20 years in prison. However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has stated that he will not call for Santos’s resignation unless he is convicted of a crime.

Allegations of Dishonesty and Deception

The indictment alleges that Santos used political contributions to enrich himself, unlawfully applied for pandemic-related unemployment benefits, and lied to the House of Representatives. The Justice Department also claims that Santos defrauded political supporters by moving campaign funds into his personal bank account and using the money for personal purchases, including designer clothing.

During his court appearance, Santos denied the allegations and called them a “witch hunt.” He stated that he has evidence to prove his innocence and plans to fight the charges.

Calls for Resignation

Several Democrats and Republicans have called for Santos’s resignation or expulsion from Congress following the news of his indictment. Fellow New York Republicans have joined the calls for his removal, with Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) tweeting that Santos should resign from office.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-MT) has also called for Santos’s immediate resignation, stating that he should have resigned a long time ago.

Conclusion

The case against George Santos is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether he will be convicted of the charges against him. However, the allegations of dishonesty and deception are serious, and they have led to calls for his resignation from both sides of the aisle.