New York Republican Rep. George Santos was arrested on Wednesday on multiple financial charges.
Santos surrendered to law enforcement on 13 charges in the case.
Rep George Santos has surrendered to authorities after being charged with multiple financial crimes in federal court.
The freshman congressman will be arraigned this afternoon at a federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York,https://t.co/MnrhPZ6zxj
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 10, 2023
"Santos has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday," the Washington Examiner reported.
"This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations," Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said in a statement, according to the outlet.
BREAKING: Rep. George Santos was arrested on federal criminal charges including wire fraud, money laundering and lying to Congress, the U.S. attorney's office says. The New York Republican became infamous for fabricating key parts of his life story. https://t.co/W9cYBcSti2
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 10, 2023
"Santos’ 13-count federal indictment was a reckoning for a web of fraud and deceit that prosecutors say overlapped with the New York Republican’s fantastical public image as a wealthy businessman — a fictional biography that began to unravel after he won election last fall," the Associated Press reported.
"Santos, 34, was released on $500,000 bond following his arraignment, about five hours after turning himself in to face charges of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress. He surrendered his passport and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted," it added.
George Santos defiant after arrest: 'I'll be a chairman of a committee in a couple of years' https://t.co/gknkjq9dFx
— #TuckFrump (@realTuckFrumper) May 10, 2023
Santos remained defiant when speaking to reporters after posting bail on Wednesday.
"I'll be a chairman of a committee in a couple of years," he said.
The multiple charges include receiving $24,000 in unemployment during the pandemic despite working throughout the period in which he received unemployment, according to reports that led to the charges.
Further concerns relate to Santos overstating his net worth and financial statements. Santos could potentially face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of the maximum penalty on all charges.
The arrest came shortly after former President Donald Trump was found liable in the case of sexual assault against E. Jean Carroll, making for a rough day for Republicans in Washington.
