Rep. George Santos faces charges of fraud, money laundering, and theft.

Breaking News: Rep. George Santos Arrested on Federal Criminal Charges

Alleged Scheme Involving Fraud, Money Laundering, and Theft of Public Funds

On May 10, Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was arrested on federal criminal charges related to an alleged scheme involving fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds. The 13-count indictment, unsealed on May 10, accuses Santos of defrauding prospective political supporters by laundering funds to pay for his personal expenses and illegally receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed. He is also accused of making false statements to the House of Representatives about his assets, income, and liabilities.

“This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace in a statement. “Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself. He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives.”

Charges

According to the Department of Justice, Santos used an LLC to deceive potential political backers during his successful congressional campaign in September 2022. Santos hired a New York political consultant to contact potential contributors and authorized them to mislead donors that their money would be used to assist in electing him to the House, including by buying TV ads, prosecutors said. Two donors allegedly transferred $25,000 to that LLC’s bank account, which Santos controlled, based on these fraudulent assertions.

The indictment also alleges that Santos moved the cash into his personal bank accounts to launder them. Santos allegedly spent much of that money on himself, using it to buy clothes, pay off debts, and transfer money.

Appearance in Court

The first-term congressman was arrested on the morning of May 10 and is due to appear at a Long Island district court in the afternoon. Santos has been under intense scrutiny for months over allegedly lying about large parts of his personal background and professional history, some of which he has admitted to fabricating.

Summary

• Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was arrested on federal criminal charges on May 10, in relation to an alleged scheme involving fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds.
• The 13-count indictment accuses Santos of defrauding prospective political supporters by laundering funds to pay for his personal expenses and illegally receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed.
• Santos is also accused of making false statements to the House of Representatives about his assets, income, and liabilities.
• Santos used an LLC to deceive potential political backers during his successful congressional campaign in September 2022.
• Santos allegedly spent much of the money on himself, using it to buy clothes, pay off debts, and transfer money.
• Santos is due to appear at a Long Island district court in the afternoon.

This is a developing story, and we will update as more information becomes available.