Topline
Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), whose former treasurer recently pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge, was hit with another round of charges Tuesday, with prosecutors alleging the disgraced congressman engaged in two schemes that involved the stealing of donors’ identities and financial information.
Key Facts
Santos was charged with ten criminal counts including one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the U.S., two counts of wire fraud, two counts of making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission, two counts of falsifying records submitted to obstruct the FEC, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of access device fraud.
Prosecutors allege Santos took part in a “party program scheme” alongside his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, who pleaded guilty to a federal fraud count last week.
Santos and Marks allegedly submitted false reports containing inflated campaign fundraising numbers to qualify for a national party committee program that would have provided financial and logistical support for Santos’ campaign.
Prosecutors also accused Santos of charging donors’ credit cards repeatedly without authorization and sending money to his campaign, other candidates’ campaigns and to his own bank account, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Santos will report to federal court in New York on October 27.
A representative for Santos did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CORRECTION (10/10): This story has been updated to note it was Santos’ former campaign treasurer who pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge.
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