George Santos: Congressman pleads not guilty to fraud charges

Republican congressman George Santos has pleaded not blameworthy to each 13 national charges filed against him, including fraud and wealth laundering.

Outside court, Mr Santos, 34, maintained his innocence, dismissing the probe arsenic a "witch hunt". 

The New York typical has been plagued by ungraded since helium took bureau successful January and overmuch of his biography was recovered to beryllium fabricated.

If convicted of the apical charges, helium could look up to 20 years successful prison.

Mr Santos was released connected $500,000 (£400,000) bail bond, secured by 3 individuals whose identities were not released.

Outside the national tribunal successful Long Island connected Wednesday afternoon, Mr Santos said helium would not resign, and vowed to "keep fighting" for his district. 

He volition beryllium confined to his location authorities of New York, successful Washington DC and places successful between. Other question indispensable beryllium approved successful advance.

The congressman spoke conscionable erstwhile during the hearing, telling the justice "yes ma'am", according to the Associated Press.

Joseph Murray, a lawyer for Mr Santos, told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that the Republican inactive planned to question re-election, and the charges "absolutely" would not deter him.

Mr Santos "is not moving from anything", Mr Murray said, adding helium was "proud" the lawmaker could "stand tall".

The 20-page indictment alleges the Republican participated successful 3 elaborate fraud schemes.

First, according to national prosecutors, helium defrauded those who gave him wealth for his House of Representatives campaign, alternatively utilizing the funds for idiosyncratic expenses including luxury decorator covering and recognition paper payments.

Second, Mr Santos allegedly participated successful an unemployment security fraud scheme, claiming Covid-19 authorities assistance contempt earning a wage of $120,000 (£95,000) done his employment with a Florida-based concern firm.

Finally, prosecutors assertion the Republican misled the Congress astir his finances.

He faces 7 counts of ligament fraud, 3 counts of wealth laundering, 1 number of theft of nationalist funds and 2 counts of making materially mendacious statements to the House of Representatives.

US Attorney Breon Peace said the indictment "seeks to clasp Santos accountable for assorted alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations".

"Taken together, the allegations successful the indictment complaint Santos with relying connected repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," Mr Peace said.

He has been fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

The Long Island lawmaker has been embroiled successful ungraded since helium took bureau successful January.

He has besides been accused of lying astir his assemblage degrees and his enactment experience; violating run concern and struggle of involvement laws; falsely claiming his grandparents survived the Holocaust; and creating a fake carnal foundation that helium utilized to siphon distant currency meant for a veteran's dying dog.

Campaign concern forms uncovered by US media amusement a bid of filings of $199.99, precisely 1 cent beneath the $200 threshold successful which receipts are required, raising questions astir however his predetermination funds were being spent.

In a tv interrogation successful February, Mr Santos admitted to being a "terrible liar" successful an effort to beryllium accepted by his party. But helium insisted the lies were "not astir tricking the people" and helium denied immoderate transgression wrongdoing.

In February, House Democrats filed a solution to expel Mr Santos. Republicans clasp a constrictive 222-213 bulk successful the House.

He has besides antecedently faced calls to resign from wrong his ain party.

"I can't hold for him to beryllium gone," chap New York congressman Republican Marc Molinaro said connected Wednesday.

Mr Santos recused himself from 2 House committees implicit the "ongoing attention" earlier this year, but helium resisted the increasing unit to measurement down, announcing successful April that helium would question a 2nd word successful 2024.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that Republicans would withhold judgement until the result of his case.

"In America, you're guiltless until proven guilty," helium told reporters aft emerging from a play gathering with Republican House members.