Former US Rep George Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in his federal case

August 19, 2024

WXXV Staff,

Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., faces reporters at the Capitol in Washington, early Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. After a scathing report by the House Ethics Committee citing egregious violations, Santos could be expelled from Congress this week. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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By PHILIP MARCELO
Associated Press

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in his federal fraud case.

The New York Republican entered the plea Monday in a courtroom in Long Island. His trial had been set to start in early September.

Santos was indicted on charges that he stole from political donors, used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth and collected unemployment benefits while working.

He was expelled from Congress after an ethics investigation found what it called “overwhelming evidence” that Santos had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own profit.