(NewsReady.com) – When the lies Rep. George Santos (R-NY) told to get elected began trickling out earlier this year, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) had a tough decision to make. The GOP leader could have refused to seat the congressman or listen to the voters; he chose the latter. Now, the leader has signaled he will continue to let him serve.
On Wednesday, May 10, federal authorities arrested Santos. The day before, a grand jury handed down a 13-count indictment against him. The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced he’d been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of public funds, three counts of money laundering, and two counts of lying to the House of Representatives.
Congressman George Santos Charged with Fraud, Money Laundering, Theft of Public Funds, and False Statements https://t.co/J5cD48fSYT
— US Attorney EDNY (@EDNYnews) May 10, 2023
The day before the charges against Santos were unsealed, McCarthy told reporters that if a lawmaker is indicted, they won’t be allowed to sit on committees. However, he said they could still vote, “but they have to go to trial.”
On the day of the indictment, the majority leader spoke to CNN, saying he was concerned about the charges levied against Santos. However, he said he is waiting to wait on the outcome of the trial. He made it clear that he would not support Santos’ reelection bid. Further, if the House Ethics Committee determines the Republican committed a crime then McCarthy will call on him to resign. But for now, he will remain in Congress.
One of the charges against Santos accuses him of applying for unemployment benefits and lying on his application. He allegedly stole more than $20,000 and reportedly used the money to buy luxury clothes.
On Wednesday, Santos appeared in court on Long Island, where he pleaded not guilty. He’s facing at least 20 years in prison and has called the indictment against him a “witch hunt.”
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