Former US Representative George Santos is anticipated to plead guilty to multiple counts in his federal fraud case, according to a source familiar with the matter. Santos, a Republican from New York, is expected to enter the plea at a court hearing scheduled for Monday on Long Island.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, could not provide further details about the plea.Efforts to obtain comments from Santos’s three lawyers were unsuccessful.
The court hearing was arranged following a joint request by prosecutors and Santos’s legal team on Friday. The parties also requested and obtained a delay in certain pre-trial deadlines.
The development comes ahead of the scheduled jury selection, set to begin on September 9. Santos has previously pleaded not guilty to a series of financial crimes, including allegations of misleading Congress about his wealth, collecting unemployment benefits while employed, and using campaign funds for personal expenses, such as designer clothing.
Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December, faced the expulsion after an ethics investigation revealed “overwhelming evidence” of legal violations and abuse of his public position for personal gain.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, could not provide further details about the plea.Efforts to obtain comments from Santos’s three lawyers were unsuccessful.
The court hearing was arranged following a joint request by prosecutors and Santos’s legal team on Friday. The parties also requested and obtained a delay in certain pre-trial deadlines.
The development comes ahead of the scheduled jury selection, set to begin on September 9. Santos has previously pleaded not guilty to a series of financial crimes, including allegations of misleading Congress about his wealth, collecting unemployment benefits while employed, and using campaign funds for personal expenses, such as designer clothing.
Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December, faced the expulsion after an ethics investigation revealed “overwhelming evidence” of legal violations and abuse of his public position for personal gain.
Source : Times of India
