As we reported on Friday, despite initially maintaining his innocence, the former New York congressman George Santos, (R), indicated he would enter a guilty plea to the federal criminal charge that was scheduled to be tried in September.
Santos faced a court trial for 23 charges, including wire fraud, libel, false statements made to the Federal Election Commission, and falsifying documents to obstruct the FEC.
Santos, who pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to two of these charges.
George Santos was expelled from Congress after he was charged with nearly twenty criminal counts. He reached a deal on Monday in New York with federal prosecutors over two federal charges.
Santos admitted to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and other crimes.
Santos’ sentencing will take place in February. The expected sentencing range will be between six and eight years. Santos must also pay restitution.
CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane said that Santos admitted to several crimes in court. He admitted to using the credit cards of another person fraudulently for his benefit and making false statements before the Federal Election Commission. He admitted to wire fraud in Sept.-Oct. 2022.
Santos must repay at least $373,000.
Santos was removed from Congress in December. After a February special election, he was replaced by Tom Suozzi, a Democrat. This resulted in reducing the Republican majority.
