Former U.S. Rep. George Santos is currently negotiating a plea deal with federal prosecutors as he faces a court date in September after being charged with 23 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds.
“The parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial,” a letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn said in a filing Monday to Judge Joanna Seybert of the Eastern District of New York in Central Islip. Santos’ lawyers told Seybert in a court conference Tuesday the talks were “productive,” according to multiple reports.
On Dec. 1 Santos, 35, became just the sixth member of the House to be expelled after a 311-114 vote, with 105 Republicans voting in favor of his removal. He took office in January 2021, representing the 3rd Congressional District covering parts of Nassau and Queens.
Santos, in an interview Sunday with CBS New York, said nothing was off the table in terms of a plea deal.
“I’m going to negotiate the best I can,” Santos said.
Before Tuesday’s court appearance, Santos told WABC Radio’s Frank Morano he is not done with public service and he wants to go back to Congress.
“I’m not saying today. I’m not saying tomorrow,” Santos said on the radio show “The Other Side of Midnight” before the court conference. Tuesday. “I have a lot of things I need to take care of first. I think we all know, but I do have hopes of trying to regain the trust of the American people and going there because I will continue to expose and root out the rot in our federal government.”
Santos was expelled after the bipartisan House Ethics Committee released its long-awaited 56-page report from investigators that found “substantial evidence” Santos violated federal law.
Investigators concluded that Santos used campaign funds for personal purposes, defrauded donors and filed false or incomplete campaign and financial disclosures.
Since being expelled Santos has gone viral on social media for his Cameo appearances, a website where celebrities are paid to record video messages ranging from personal stories to pump-up speeches. Prices for a video from Santos started out at $200 each and have gone up to at least $500.
The special election to replace Santos and finish out the rest of his term will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove)–who Santos replaced after he vacated the seat to run unsuccessfully for New York governor – has been chosen by Democrats as their candidate.
Republicans are expected to announce their candidate Friday, according to POLITICO, and among the names being considered are Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Great Neck) and retired NYPD Det. Mike Sapraicone.
