There are 13 counts in this indictment, but the accusation center on three schemes. All of those schemes involve mishandling money or lying about funds. The first and biggest scheme is one involving Santas and an associate defrauding potential contributors to his political campaign. According to the indictment, Santas got at least $50,000 in donations.
Last year, Times reporting revealed the many lies that the freshman Republican congressman George Santos had told about his life and career. Now he is facing legal consequences.
Michael Gold, who covers politics in New York for The Times, explains the charges against Mr. Santos and what they mean for his role in Congress.
Guest: Michael Gold, a New York politics correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- George Santos pleaded not guilty to charges that included accusations of fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits.
- The George Santos indictment, annotated.
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