George Santos has just been arrested for a variety of alleged misdeeds, including lying.
Santos has been charged with 13 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to the House of Representatives.
Santos was taken into custody by the FBI and is expected to be arraigned later today.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said when the indictment was unsealed, he “seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” adding, “He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives.”
Santos has been caught in a web of lies since his election victory last November. Some of his Republican colleagues wanted him expelled, but the leadership was radio silent on the issue.
According to the indictment, 2 of his supporters each transferred $25,000 to an account that was supposed to go to his campaign but was then transferred to a personal account. Santos allegedly used the funds to buy designer clothes and withdraw cash for personal debts.
1/21/23
BACKGRID
It’ll be interesting how Speaker Kevin McCarthy deals with Santos now.