E-Paper
Laundering, lies and Covid fraud: Republican Party's George Santos indicted
The U.S. Attorney's office in the Eastern District of New York have announced 13-count indictment of George Santos.
Republican Party politician George Santos was arrested on Wednesday. The U.S. Attorney's office in the Eastern District of New York have announced his 13-count indictment.
The full list of charges includes 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.
Here is an overview of the charges against Santos in the 20-page indictment.
- Charge of fraudulently applying for Covid-related unemployment benefits
Santos has been charged with fraud for allegedly receiving unemployment benefits during the pandemic even though he had a job. Ironically, while he was running for Congress, he had publicly opposed pandemic-related unemployment benefits. In a viral social media video from 2021, Santos criticised President Joe Biden for extending the unemployment benefits. In the video, Santos says “We need you to be the president, Joe. Now do the job. Honor us. Be the president. Protect us. This is a bunch of garbage. For an entire hour you were asked great questions. You all but mocked the restaurant owner who can't get people to work for him. Obviously because you keep extending the goddamn unemployment benefits. Yes, there are people who need it. Create a system where they can be verified so they can keep it. Don't do this nonsense no more of blanket giveaways.”
- Charge of money laundering and misusing campaign funds for personal expenses
As per the prosecutors, during his political campaign, Santos laundered donations into his own personal bank accounts. He allegedly used thousands of dollars to pay for personal expenses, from luxury clothing to credit card payments. He has been charged with three counts of money laundering in connection to the donor solicitation scheme.
- Charge of wire frauds
Santos has been alleged to have committed five counts of wire fraud when the candidate and an unnamed political consultant he directed lied to potential donors through emails and text messages that their contributions would exclusively support the Republican campaign. But instead, Santos used the donation money for personal purposes. Two more counts of wire fraud were allegedly committed by Santos while applying and receiving Covid-related unemployment benefits despite being employed at a Florida-based investment company.
- Charge of making false statements
Prosecutors have accused Santos of two counts of making false statements to the House of Representatives on personal financial disclosure reports. In May 2020, he allegedly overstated his one source of income. And in September 2022, he provided wrong information in the financial disclosure form.
