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Republican Rep. George Santos surrendered to federal authorities at a courthouse in suburban Long Island on Wednesday facing thirteen counts of criminal wrongdoing.
Federal prosecutors say he allegedly « devised and executed a scheme » aimed at defrauding donors to his 2022 political campaign.
« This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations, » said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.
« Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself. »
According to the criminal indictments, Santos claimed the money would fuel his bid for office, but instead spent the cash on luxury designer clothes and to make a car payment and pay personal credit card bills.
Santos also faces a charge that in 2020, he fraudulently applied to receive unemployment benefits when he was employed and running for Congress in his first bid for public office.
« At the height of the pandemic in 2020, George Santos allegedly applied for and received unemployment benefits while he was employed and running for Congress, » stated Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, ina statement.
