Disgraced former Republican Congressman George Santos of New York, who was expelled from Congress earlier this month, is in talks with U.S. prosecutors to reach a plea deal over corruption charges.
Santos was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 1 because of charges he faces related to allegations of defrauding campaign contributors and, according to a House Ethics Committee Report, using campaign funds to purchase luxury items and spa treatments.
“The parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial,” the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, which brought the charges, wrote in a letter to U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in Long Island.
SANTOS VOWS TO FILE ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST MULTIPLE LAWMAKERS HOURS AFTER EXPULSION FROM HOUSE
Representative George Santos, a Republican from New York, during a news conference outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Santos faces the most serious threat yet to his short and tumultuous tenure in Congress, as two competing resolutions to oust him from the House of Representations got put on a fast track Tuesday. (Annabelle Gordon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Reuters reported that Santos’ attorney, Joseph Murray, said prosecutors consulted him on the letter, which he agreed to the language. He declined to comment further on the matter.
Santos has not been convicted of a crime, but he has been indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, falsification of records, credit card fraud and other charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
The 311 to 114 vote was strongly bipartisan, although slightly more Republicans voted to keep Santos than to oust him.
RAMASWAMY CALLS GEORGE SANTOS ‘INSANE AND PATHOLOGICAL LIAR,’ BUT SAYS EXPELLING HIM FROM CONGRESS WAS ‘WRONG’
Rep. George Santos (R-NY) becomes emotional as he talks about the situation in Israel during a break in a House Republican caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building on October 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A Sept. 9, 2024 trial date has been set, though prosecutors have asked the judge to move the trial to May or June of the same year.
With Santos out of Congress, a special election to fill his seat to represent New York has been set for Feb. 13, 2024.
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So far, Democrats have nominated former Congressman Tom Suozzi, while Republicans have not yet announced a nominee.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Reuters contributed to this report.
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