The DOJ is accusing Santas of lying about how he's spending his campaign money and unemployment fraud. He also allegedly misrepresented his personal wealth when he filed financial disclosures with the House of Representatives in 2020 and 2022. On this form, Santas said that he was making $750,000 from his personal company,. And in the indictment, federal prosecutors are saying that that's not true. The bill to help states recoup fraudulent or overly paid pandemic unemployment benefits has 35 co-sponsors.
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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