George Santos is anticipated to enter a guilty plea in his fraud case during a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday on Long Island, according to sources close to the situation. However, it’s important to note that the unpredictable former Republican congressman may still alter his decision.
A guilty plea would preclude a trial that is set to start next month, with numerous potential jurors already summoned for the proceedings. Attempts to reach Santos, his lawyer, and federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York for comments have gone unanswered.
Santos, who was removed from the House of Representatives, is facing 23 felony charges. These charges include accusations of defrauding donors, misleading statements about his financial situation, and improperly collecting unemployment benefits, among other allegations.
The specifics regarding which charges Santos intends to plead guilty to or the potential sentence he may receive remain unclear. He is accused of misrepresenting aspects of his background and biography while campaigning for a position representing parts of Queens and Nassau County, though the criminal charges he has pleaded not guilty to largely pertain to financial misconduct.
Additionally, two of Santos’ associates, including his former campaign treasurer, have already pleaded guilty to charges related to their involvement in the alleged fraudulent activities.