Santas is accused of using the CARES Act to claim unemployment benefits. The act was set up during the pandemic and funded by a federal law. Prosecutors say Santas told them he was unemployed every week from June 2020 through April 2021. He got more than $24,000 in funds from the government but prosecutors say he was actually working for an investment firm based in Florida at the time.
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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