George Santos Charged with Fraud, Money Laundering
May 10, 2023 7:42 AM Subscribe
Congressman George Santos (R-NY), who repeatedly lied about his qualifications during the election, has been charged in Federal court in a 13-count indictment: seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. Santos was arrested Wednesday morning and will be arraigned Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York.
The charges stem from a grand jury investigation, and allege that Santos embezzled political contributions, fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits, and lied in his disclosures to the House of Representatives.
CNN's coverage
NPR's coverage
CNN's coverage
NPR's coverage
So I have a carryover question from where we started talking about it -
My understanding that was that he was indicted, and I thought it would just be a court appearance with finger prints and mugshot and all that but then he would be released until the court date, like what happened with TFG. But people are specifically saying now that he was arrested, and....is that different? Like, is he in a holding cell right now?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:49 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
My understanding that was that he was indicted, and I thought it would just be a court appearance with finger prints and mugshot and all that but then he would be released until the court date, like what happened with TFG. But people are specifically saying now that he was arrested, and....is that different? Like, is he in a holding cell right now?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:49 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
I kind of like “theft of…” It feels emblematic if this whole story.
For those who want a little more context, Bad Gays covered Santos earlier this year along with some thoughts about how the necessary reinvention gay men often experience can go toxic.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:50 AM on May 10, 2023 [7 favorites]
For those who want a little more context, Bad Gays covered Santos earlier this year along with some thoughts about how the necessary reinvention gay men often experience can go toxic.
posted by GenjiandProust at 7:50 AM on May 10, 2023 [7 favorites]
If I'm reading correclty, Judge Lindsay's last job before becoming a judge was as Chief of the White Collar Crime and Complex Litigation Section in the Suffolk County DA, which seems like it might be relevant experience.
posted by box at 7:50 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 7:50 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
The key charge, at least from a political point of view, seems to be that George Santos allegedly lied about being unemployed to collect unemployment benefits.
According to the indictment, in June 2020, Santos applied to receive unemployment insurance benefits through the New York state department of labor. In the application, Santos “falsely claimed to have been unemployed since the week of March 22, 2020.”
Beginning on or about June 19, 2020 and continue through on or about April 15, 2021, Santos “certified his continuing eligibility for unemployment benefits on a weekly basis, in each case falsely attesting…that he was unemployed…and eligible for benefits.”
However, beginning on or about February 3, 2020 and continuing through on or about April 15, 2021, Santos was in fact a regional director at an investment firm, the indictment said.
“During that period, with the exception of on or about and between July 5, 2020 and August 30, 2020…Santos received regular deposits into his personal bank accounts as part of his regional director salary of approximately $120,000 per year,” according to the indictment.
From March 22, 2020 to April 15, 2021, Santos received approximately $24,744 in unemployment insurance benefits, it added.
Yes yes GOP hypocrisy, in-group the law protects but does not bind etc etc. Still. That is quite something for a Republican to have to defend.
posted by saturday_morning at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [26 favorites]
According to the indictment, in June 2020, Santos applied to receive unemployment insurance benefits through the New York state department of labor. In the application, Santos “falsely claimed to have been unemployed since the week of March 22, 2020.”
Beginning on or about June 19, 2020 and continue through on or about April 15, 2021, Santos “certified his continuing eligibility for unemployment benefits on a weekly basis, in each case falsely attesting…that he was unemployed…and eligible for benefits.”
However, beginning on or about February 3, 2020 and continuing through on or about April 15, 2021, Santos was in fact a regional director at an investment firm, the indictment said.
“During that period, with the exception of on or about and between July 5, 2020 and August 30, 2020…Santos received regular deposits into his personal bank accounts as part of his regional director salary of approximately $120,000 per year,” according to the indictment.
From March 22, 2020 to April 15, 2021, Santos received approximately $24,744 in unemployment insurance benefits, it added.
Yes yes GOP hypocrisy, in-group the law protects but does not bind etc etc. Still. That is quite something for a Republican to have to defend.
posted by saturday_morning at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [26 favorites]
Circumstantial evidence suggests his staffers are (finally) quitting.* McCarthy seems determined to hold on to Santos's vote, though.
* "A spokeswoman for Santos, Naysa Woomer, would not respond to shouted questions from reporters Tuesday afternoon and abruptly departed the congressman’s DC office with her backpack when asked about the federal charges against him. Prior to her departure from the office, CNN witnessed three staffers for Santos abruptly depart with their bags."
posted by jedicus at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
* "A spokeswoman for Santos, Naysa Woomer, would not respond to shouted questions from reporters Tuesday afternoon and abruptly departed the congressman’s DC office with her backpack when asked about the federal charges against him. Prior to her departure from the office, CNN witnessed three staffers for Santos abruptly depart with their bags."
posted by jedicus at 7:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
I think he really thought he could bluff it out for the full term with no consequences (just more grift), but actual federal charges changes that calculus.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:57 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 7:57 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
McCarthy seems determined to hold on to Santos's vote, though.
I don't think McCarthy is going to have much of a choice; the evidence is pretty stark, and the unemployment fraud seems pretty airtight, given that they certainly have bank records. Hard to see how Santos isn't forced to plead guilty to that, at a minimum.
But I also don't have any faith in my NY-3 neighbors to choose a better representative the next time around. I think in the case of a vacancy we'd have to have a special election within 90 days or so, and as far as I can tell, the tenor around here is "NYC is a 1970s hellscape and Democrats want to make Nassau County into the 6th borough," so whichever scorpion-filled skinsuit has an R after its name will probably squeak through in the end.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
I don't think McCarthy is going to have much of a choice; the evidence is pretty stark, and the unemployment fraud seems pretty airtight, given that they certainly have bank records. Hard to see how Santos isn't forced to plead guilty to that, at a minimum.
But I also don't have any faith in my NY-3 neighbors to choose a better representative the next time around. I think in the case of a vacancy we'd have to have a special election within 90 days or so, and as far as I can tell, the tenor around here is "NYC is a 1970s hellscape and Democrats want to make Nassau County into the 6th borough," so whichever scorpion-filled skinsuit has an R after its name will probably squeak through in the end.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
My understanding that was that he was indicted, and I thought it would just be a court appearance with finger prints and mugshot and all that but then he would be released until the court date, like what happened with TFG. But people are specifically saying now that he was arrested, and....is that different? Like, is he in a holding cell right now?
According to the NPR story, Santos surrendered to authorities in a Long Island courthouse. So it's much the same as when Trump answered his own criminal charges; he was arrested at the courthouse and will be booked, fingerprinted, etc., but it isn't like the police showed up and dragged him away in handcuffs.
posted by Gelatin at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
According to the NPR story, Santos surrendered to authorities in a Long Island courthouse. So it's much the same as when Trump answered his own criminal charges; he was arrested at the courthouse and will be booked, fingerprinted, etc., but it isn't like the police showed up and dragged him away in handcuffs.
posted by Gelatin at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Mod note: Post title edited at user request.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 8:04 AM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 8:04 AM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
I think he really thought he could bluff it out for the full term with no consequences (just more grift), but actual federal charges changes that calculus.
It also changes the calculus for Speaker-for-the-Moment McCarthy, who had to move the goalposts for expelling Santos, who is part of his razor-thin four-seat majority, from "he hasn't been charged with a crime" to "he hasn't been convicted of a crime."
posted by Gelatin at 8:04 AM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
It also changes the calculus for Speaker-for-the-Moment McCarthy, who had to move the goalposts for expelling Santos, who is part of his razor-thin four-seat majority, from "he hasn't been charged with a crime" to "he hasn't been convicted of a crime."
posted by Gelatin at 8:04 AM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
This seems to be only the tip of the iceberg, with no information about the crucial question of where he got $6 million.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:07 AM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:07 AM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
from a tweet: "Only four days after his coronation!"
posted by Countess Elena at 8:12 AM on May 10, 2023 [62 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 8:12 AM on May 10, 2023 [62 favorites]
George Santos is a fraud and I hope he gets everything coming to him legally. More so I hope his district gets different and better representation.
I expect this whole situation to become weirder as more details emerge - and he definitely feels like the sort of guy who would put on a bad disguise and flee across a border given half a chance. I hope they have that avenue locked down. Seems like the sort of person who would have acquired multiple IDs under different names. I mean his Wikipedia page literally says “ It is unknown whether Santos was born in the U.S. or Brazil.” Wild that even the most basic background data about an elected representative is in doubt even after so much scandal and focus over many months.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:12 AM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
I expect this whole situation to become weirder as more details emerge - and he definitely feels like the sort of guy who would put on a bad disguise and flee across a border given half a chance. I hope they have that avenue locked down. Seems like the sort of person who would have acquired multiple IDs under different names. I mean his Wikipedia page literally says “ It is unknown whether Santos was born in the U.S. or Brazil.” Wild that even the most basic background data about an elected representative is in doubt even after so much scandal and focus over many months.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:12 AM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
Gosh, with this asshole’s arrest/indictments, that other asshole’s recent judgment, Eurovision AND Queer Eye all dropping in the same week, apparently I’ve been very good and it’s my birthday and Christmas all rolled up into one!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 8:13 AM on May 10, 2023 [17 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 8:13 AM on May 10, 2023 [17 favorites]
Reminder from Heather Cox Richardson "There is nothing in the House rules that prevent Santos from participating in debates and votes while under indictment. Indeed, he could continue to serve even after a conviction"
posted by stevil at 8:17 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by stevil at 8:17 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
There's something I've thought of before, but every new Santos revelation brings it home. In public life, it seems as if ordinary sins and lies bring people down, but the flagrant, unbelievable cons can absolutely bring it home with no consequences, at least until after they've gotten what they wanted and/or destroyed lives in the process.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:18 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 8:18 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
I think in the case of a vacancy we'd have to have a special election within 90 days or so
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a mechanism that can compel a Congressperson to leave their seat, even if convicted of a crime, except for a 2/3rds vote by the Congress to expel them. Santos doesn't seem like the type to quit and I don't know that the Republicans would vote to kick him out.
posted by The Notorious SRD at 8:20 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a mechanism that can compel a Congressperson to leave their seat, even if convicted of a crime, except for a 2/3rds vote by the Congress to expel them. Santos doesn't seem like the type to quit and I don't know that the Republicans would vote to kick him out.
posted by The Notorious SRD at 8:20 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
This new season of Arrested Development is both unexpected and perhaps the best yet.
posted by riverlife at 8:23 AM on May 10, 2023 [13 favorites]
posted by riverlife at 8:23 AM on May 10, 2023 [13 favorites]
Santos doesn't seem like the type to quit and I don't know that the Republicans would vote to kick him out.
True, but in a 50/50 House, McCarthy just needs to raise the issue (which ... again, split on that) and get a third of Rs to sign on, which, gross incompetence aside, he wouldn't call for expulsion until he had whipped the votes.
That said, several of these charges rely on evidence from two aggrieved donors with deep pockets. The party machine isn't fully behind Santos and, at this point, who knows what's happening behind the scenes.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:26 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
True, but in a 50/50 House, McCarthy just needs to raise the issue (which ... again, split on that) and get a third of Rs to sign on, which, gross incompetence aside, he wouldn't call for expulsion until he had whipped the votes.
That said, several of these charges rely on evidence from two aggrieved donors with deep pockets. The party machine isn't fully behind Santos and, at this point, who knows what's happening behind the scenes.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:26 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
From January: George Santos is the congressman America deserves
His lies do matter, but not really for what they reveal about him. That such a person should represent Americans in Congress is a national disgrace. But it is also fitting, because he represents something true and awful, particularly about the Republican Party, yet also about America, a nation lousy with misinformation, also known as deceit.posted by Nelson at 8:27 AM on May 10, 2023 [19 favorites]
Santos, 34, was arrested Wednesday morning and is currently in custody, the Department of Justice said. His arraignment was set for Wednesday afternoon in federal court on Long Island, New York.
!
posted by y2karl at 8:49 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
!
posted by y2karl at 8:49 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
What a horrid thing to do to the man who cured cancer.
posted by Captaintripps at 8:49 AM on May 10, 2023 [25 favorites]
posted by Captaintripps at 8:49 AM on May 10, 2023 [25 favorites]
Clearly this is a promotion for Disney's Secret Invasion series coming up next month. Expect "George Santos" to reveal himself as an agent of the Skrull empire. "Foolish Earthlings! This war of deception has only begun! Bwa ha ha!"
"Santos" will then be sentenced to life as a cow.
posted by SPrintF at 8:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
"Santos" will then be sentenced to life as a cow.
posted by SPrintF at 8:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
This is no way to treat a Heisman Trophy winner.
posted by saladin at 8:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [19 favorites]
posted by saladin at 8:51 AM on May 10, 2023 [19 favorites]
Surely this ...
posted by essexjan at 8:59 AM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 8:59 AM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
George Santos has secured the services of the man voted top defense trial lawyer in New York for the last 8 years running: George Santos
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:09 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:09 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
The hardest part of this post for me was when I misread the name as George Soros. I thought “Wow, that’s really big news!”
I mean, not that this isn’t a big news. But Soros would’ve been bigger.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:11 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I mean, not that this isn’t a big news. But Soros would’ve been bigger.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:11 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
> "There is nothing in the House rules that prevent Santos from participating in debates and votes"
Ain't no rule says a fraud can't play congressball.
posted by kyrademon at 9:19 AM on May 10, 2023 [14 favorites]
Ain't no rule says a fraud can't play congressball.
posted by kyrademon at 9:19 AM on May 10, 2023 [14 favorites]
He's just a sexual assault charge away from being picked as Trump's running mate.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:21 AM on May 10, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:21 AM on May 10, 2023 [14 favorites]
George Santos accused of sexual harassment by congressional aide (from February)
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 9:24 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 9:24 AM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
Per Jamie Dupree on Twitter:
posted by The Bellman at 9:34 AM on May 10, 2023 [39 favorites]
Rep. George Santos R-NY is charged with unemployment benefits fraud.Honestly, you cannot make this shit up.
The House is slated to vote this week on a bill to help states recover fraudulent COVID unemployment payments.
**Santos is a co-sponsor of that bill.**
posted by The Bellman at 9:34 AM on May 10, 2023 [39 favorites]
whichever scorpion-filled skinsuit has an R after its name will probably squeak through in the end.
How can I put this: I think he squeaked through himself because he was the Herschel Walker candidate for a lot of racist people on Long Island for whom a straight white male Christian R might've been a bridge a tiny bit too far.
posted by praemunire at 9:35 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
How can I put this: I think he squeaked through himself because he was the Herschel Walker candidate for a lot of racist people on Long Island for whom a straight white male Christian R might've been a bridge a tiny bit too far.
posted by praemunire at 9:35 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
The funny thing is that the Central Islip courthouse is generally deemed nowheresville. I mean, it's very busy, but anyone with ambition in the EDNY wants to work at Cadman Plaza. It's good they get to have some fun, too!
posted by praemunire at 9:37 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 9:37 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
Let it be noted that the "crime without consequences" perk is only available to Republicans who serve as Supreme Court Justices, sitting POTUS-es, senior members of congress, governors, sheriffs, chiefs of police, and certain mayors.
Doesn't work if you do it before your first day as a junior congressperson.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:41 AM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
Doesn't work if you do it before your first day as a junior congressperson.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:41 AM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
from a quoted article above...
But it is also fitting, because he represents something true and awful, particularly about the Republican Party, yet also about America, a nation lousy with misinformation, also known as deceit.
horseshit, some districts know a liar when they see one. millions have been on to the scam the GOP has been running for decades. just because we don't get listened to and just because the system allows for localized insanity, don't paint the rest of us with that brush.
posted by kokaku at 9:44 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
But it is also fitting, because he represents something true and awful, particularly about the Republican Party, yet also about America, a nation lousy with misinformation, also known as deceit.
horseshit, some districts know a liar when they see one. millions have been on to the scam the GOP has been running for decades. just because we don't get listened to and just because the system allows for localized insanity, don't paint the rest of us with that brush.
posted by kokaku at 9:44 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Fascinating stuff, especially Nancy Marks and a mention of possible Russian funding (it's a verrrry tenuous link, but it's there). Once the writer's strike ends, this is going to be one helluva Netflix mini-series.
posted by theseventhstranger at 10:22 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by theseventhstranger at 10:22 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
**Santos is a co-sponsor of that bill.**
Always with the projection.
I expect this whole situation to become weirder as more details emerge
So often these kind of people end up using the same network of fixers and shady support people. It be interesting if this shines some light on other bad actors with more pull than first time congressperson.
posted by Mitheral at 10:22 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Always with the projection.
I expect this whole situation to become weirder as more details emerge
So often these kind of people end up using the same network of fixers and shady support people. It be interesting if this shines some light on other bad actors with more pull than first time congressperson.
posted by Mitheral at 10:22 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
What's super fun is that, iirc, any GOP house rep can force a leadership vote, yeah?
I wonder what sort of pressure McCarthy is under to avoid a leadership fracas as the debt limit approaches.
posted by Slackermagee at 10:26 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
I wonder what sort of pressure McCarthy is under to avoid a leadership fracas as the debt limit approaches.
posted by Slackermagee at 10:26 AM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
It really sucks that there's a writers strike. Colbert, et al., have waited so long for this comedy material.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:36 AM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:36 AM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
I can't wait for the vote to allow him to vote by proxy from prison.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 10:37 AM on May 10, 2023
posted by a robot made out of meat at 10:37 AM on May 10, 2023
Apparently there are parts of the justice system that haven't completely collapsed!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 10:41 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gentlyepigrams at 10:41 AM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
It really sucks that there's a writers strike. Colbert, et al., have waited so long for this comedy material.
On the contrary, "the jokes write themselves" is horrible for their bargaining position!
posted by pwnguin at 10:50 AM on May 10, 2023 [16 favorites]
On the contrary, "the jokes write themselves" is horrible for their bargaining position!
posted by pwnguin at 10:50 AM on May 10, 2023 [16 favorites]
But it is also fitting, because he represents something true and awful, particularly about the Republican Party, yet also about America, a nation lousy with misinformation, also known as deceit.
horseshit, some districts know a liar when they see one. millions have been on to the scam the GOP has been running for decades.
I'll go further than that. The Republicans have been isolating themselves inside a tribal information bubble for decades now. They apparently learned from Nixon's resignation that the powerful need not worry if those around them have no principles at all.
The Republican retreat from reality is not a both sides problem. Charlatans, crooks, and grifters are found in both parties, but as the Republicans have defended their crook-in-chief Trump, and countless others, simply in the name of power. Just today McCarthy made clear he will not risk his razor-thin majority on anything so tawdry as booting an obvious crook out of Congress.
Authoritarianism breeds corruption, and the Republican contempt for the will of the people is like a dinner bell to certain varieties of crooks.
posted by Gelatin at 11:18 AM on May 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
horseshit, some districts know a liar when they see one. millions have been on to the scam the GOP has been running for decades.
I'll go further than that. The Republicans have been isolating themselves inside a tribal information bubble for decades now. They apparently learned from Nixon's resignation that the powerful need not worry if those around them have no principles at all.
The Republican retreat from reality is not a both sides problem. Charlatans, crooks, and grifters are found in both parties, but as the Republicans have defended their crook-in-chief Trump, and countless others, simply in the name of power. Just today McCarthy made clear he will not risk his razor-thin majority on anything so tawdry as booting an obvious crook out of Congress.
Authoritarianism breeds corruption, and the Republican contempt for the will of the people is like a dinner bell to certain varieties of crooks.
posted by Gelatin at 11:18 AM on May 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
Republicans increasingly looks like the party of rapists and liars. And that's not even including Trump. It's horrifying.
I don't feel any schadenfreude or comedy here. I'm frightened these are the kind of people who have power, and that this is the state of US democracy these days.
posted by EllaEm at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2023 [23 favorites]
I don't feel any schadenfreude or comedy here. I'm frightened these are the kind of people who have power, and that this is the state of US democracy these days.
posted by EllaEm at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2023 [23 favorites]
I'm with EllaEm
this stopped being funny a long time ago
crazy, awful stuff happening in one place tends to seep out into other places, this whole ship is sinking and taking us all with it
posted by elkevelvet at 11:53 AM on May 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
this stopped being funny a long time ago
crazy, awful stuff happening in one place tends to seep out into other places, this whole ship is sinking and taking us all with it
posted by elkevelvet at 11:53 AM on May 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
> "Santos" will then be sentenced to life as a cow.Don't threaten me with Santos Smashburgers, because I'd eat the hell of them. I hope he tastes like 80/20 ground chuck or better. (Yes, I know what ultimately happens to the people who eat the Skrull cows.)
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 12:15 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Reminder from Heather Cox Richardson "There is nothing in the House rules that prevent Santos from participating in debates and votes while under indictment. Indeed, he could continue to serve even after a conviction"
I'll note that the last line in Richardson's entry quotes McCarthy as saying that a congressman convicted of a crime should resign. Note that McCarthy doesn't say he'd support kicking that congressman out. I imagine the next goalpost move will be "well, gosh, that Santos just has us over a barrell by not resigning, what a terrible person, oh well, time for the next vote to defund puppies..."
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:18 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'll note that the last line in Richardson's entry quotes McCarthy as saying that a congressman convicted of a crime should resign. Note that McCarthy doesn't say he'd support kicking that congressman out. I imagine the next goalpost move will be "well, gosh, that Santos just has us over a barrell by not resigning, what a terrible person, oh well, time for the next vote to defund puppies..."
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:18 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Don't threaten me with Santos Smashburgers, because I'd eat the hell of them.
Welcome to MetaFilter. Where political vore is a thing.
posted by hippybear at 12:21 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Welcome to MetaFilter. Where political vore is a thing.
posted by hippybear at 12:21 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
To be clear, Santos claimed unemployment benefits in New York from Summer 2020 to Spring 2021, while employed as a regional director for a Florida investment firm. In December 2022, Santos re-activated the Devolder Organization LLC in Florida, and he's the registered agent. For an individual to be a registered agent, they must reside in Florida and have a business address identical to the address of the registered office.
"Members of the House are elected every two years and must be 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state (but not necessarily the district) they represent" (WhiteHouse.gov), at least at time of election.
Santos faces seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of lying to the House of Representatives on financial forms. Wire fraud, the most serious charge, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. If Santos is found guilty of multiple counts, a judge would decide whether he should serve his sentences concurrently or consecutively. (WaPo)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
"Members of the House are elected every two years and must be 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state (but not necessarily the district) they represent" (WhiteHouse.gov), at least at time of election.
Santos faces seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of lying to the House of Representatives on financial forms. Wire fraud, the most serious charge, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. If Santos is found guilty of multiple counts, a judge would decide whether he should serve his sentences concurrently or consecutively. (WaPo)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2023 [12 favorites]
Maybe none of this matters, domestically: The Rio de Janeiro prosecutor’s office said the case, which dates to 2008, had been suspended because officials could not find an address for Santos, but that his election to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District paved the way for them to locate him. (Criminal case against George Santos in Brazil is revived as L.I. congressman-elect set to be sworn-in, NY Daily News, Jan. 3 2023)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:37 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:37 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
It is impressive that Santos seems to be the only R that I know of so far to be investigated for international crimes.
posted by hippybear at 12:40 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 12:40 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
Apart from Richard Nixon, George Herbert Walker Bush, George W. Bush and Donald Trump to name but a few.
posted by y2karl at 12:49 PM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 12:49 PM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
Santos pleaded not guilty to an array of federal crimes. He was released on a $500,000 bond, which is barely walking-around money.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:15 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:15 PM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]
I can’t believe that the United States government would go after the last living founding father like this. (Stolen from.)
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:24 PM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:24 PM on May 10, 2023 [5 favorites]
I couldn’t help thinking of George Santos as I read this account of deep cover Russian spies operating in Brazil and Greece, as well as this one about deep cover Russian spies in Slovenia who were representing themselves as Argentinian.
Maybe because Santos' fraud seemed so practiced and professional as almost require a hidden infrastructure of fraud behind it, and also to imply a deeper purpose than a mere individual who was trying to get over however he could.
Before all these stories broke he was scheduled to be on the intelligence committee, after all, but that turned out to be a bridge too far even for post sedition Republicans.
How certain are we that we’ve reached the innermost of the Matryoshka dolls of Santos' identity?
posted by jamjam at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
Maybe because Santos' fraud seemed so practiced and professional as almost require a hidden infrastructure of fraud behind it, and also to imply a deeper purpose than a mere individual who was trying to get over however he could.
Before all these stories broke he was scheduled to be on the intelligence committee, after all, but that turned out to be a bridge too far even for post sedition Republicans.
How certain are we that we’ve reached the innermost of the Matryoshka dolls of Santos' identity?
posted by jamjam at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
this stopped being funny a long time ago
From this side of the Atlantic it looks very funny.
posted by Pendragon at 1:55 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
From this side of the Atlantic it looks very funny.
posted by Pendragon at 1:55 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
The amusing part is that James Comer and company were preparing a morning press conference accusing Joe Biden and his family of money laundering on a $10 million scale while one of their own was being arrested on money laundering charges.
Now, the difference is, when pressed on whether they have any tangible evidence that Biden crossed legal lines, Comer went um ah er no one would view what we are presenting today as coincidence, we believe strongly that further evidence will emerge, we are awaiting the whistleblower note that we have requested from the FBI er um er. Santos, on the other hand, is crapping pineapples right now because he knows that moving on him like this means they've got him on the hook. But this will not stop the usual suspects from crowing about how Santos's arrest was all a smokescreen to distract from the Biden Crime Family, and I expect the Rothschilds, Dr. Fauci, George Soros, Bill Clinton and the Reverse Vampires to enter the conspiracy theory before long.
(BRB. Forming an acoustic side project called Bill Clinton and the Reverse Vampires.)
posted by delfin at 2:19 PM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
Now, the difference is, when pressed on whether they have any tangible evidence that Biden crossed legal lines, Comer went um ah er no one would view what we are presenting today as coincidence, we believe strongly that further evidence will emerge, we are awaiting the whistleblower note that we have requested from the FBI er um er. Santos, on the other hand, is crapping pineapples right now because he knows that moving on him like this means they've got him on the hook. But this will not stop the usual suspects from crowing about how Santos's arrest was all a smokescreen to distract from the Biden Crime Family, and I expect the Rothschilds, Dr. Fauci, George Soros, Bill Clinton and the Reverse Vampires to enter the conspiracy theory before long.
(BRB. Forming an acoustic side project called Bill Clinton and the Reverse Vampires.)
posted by delfin at 2:19 PM on May 10, 2023 [8 favorites]
This slate article does a great job trying to mail down what is known about where the money was coming from and where it went. He clearly saw campaign finance as a way to make money for himself but it still doesn’t explain why so many people have money to him
posted by CostcoCultist at 2:45 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by CostcoCultist at 2:45 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
(Hoping my nascent Roger Clinton And The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy project can occasionally open.)
posted by riverlife at 3:26 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by riverlife at 3:26 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
Everything about Santos has once again increased my respect for Donald Trump's ability to play the system. He's been doing the same lying, cheating, and stealing routine for decades and finally this week, maybe, pending appeal, had something stick to him. Santos lasted about 6 months in public eye before imploding.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:36 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:36 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Does this mean he'll have to hand back his Nobel Prize AND Olympic Gold Medal?
posted by bookbook at 4:07 PM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by bookbook at 4:07 PM on May 10, 2023 [4 favorites]
I think an aspect of Santos that is almost absent from the discussion is that, as described in the Bad Gays episode above, that he represents a common form of gay male narcissism and fabulism that exists partly due to the inability to live an authentic life in your original name/history. A lot of gay men have to reinvent themselves to come out; a few can’t stop.
Santos’ odious adoption of the worst the Republican Party has to offer is part and parcel of his endless self-invention as a successful person. Living as a bland mediocrity won’t feed his shriveled soul, so he chooses lies and evil, homophobia coming home to roost via pathological self-regard.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:27 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
Santos’ odious adoption of the worst the Republican Party has to offer is part and parcel of his endless self-invention as a successful person. Living as a bland mediocrity won’t feed his shriveled soul, so he chooses lies and evil, homophobia coming home to roost via pathological self-regard.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:27 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
A lot of gay men have to reinvent themselves to come out; a few can’t stop.
Um.... So.
While gay men of a certain age (of which Santos may or may not be a member) have a complicated relationship with the truth and may be struggling with this in a lot of aspects of their lives while they try to balance the cultural need to be hidden with the personal need to be seen...
Let us NOT in ANY WHAT WHATSOEVER make this George Santos situation be about him being gay. Gay men are not habitually lying themselves into a position of national office. This is a pathological level of self-misrepresentation that goes far beyond any kind of closet issues that are normal for a queer person struggling within our culture.
I don't know much about this podcast, and I'm looking into it now, but this messaging here on MetaFilter is a subtle kind of poison that needs to be counteracted early and often.
posted by hippybear at 6:50 PM on May 10, 2023 [38 favorites]
Um.... So.
While gay men of a certain age (of which Santos may or may not be a member) have a complicated relationship with the truth and may be struggling with this in a lot of aspects of their lives while they try to balance the cultural need to be hidden with the personal need to be seen...
Let us NOT in ANY WHAT WHATSOEVER make this George Santos situation be about him being gay. Gay men are not habitually lying themselves into a position of national office. This is a pathological level of self-misrepresentation that goes far beyond any kind of closet issues that are normal for a queer person struggling within our culture.
I don't know much about this podcast, and I'm looking into it now, but this messaging here on MetaFilter is a subtle kind of poison that needs to be counteracted early and often.
posted by hippybear at 6:50 PM on May 10, 2023 [38 favorites]
I’d wager folding money that he gets re-elected.
posted by That darn sock! at 7:02 PM on May 10, 2023
posted by That darn sock! at 7:02 PM on May 10, 2023
I’d wager money that if he makes it through the republican primary he would lose in the general. This isn’t a deep red district.
posted by CostcoCultist at 7:16 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by CostcoCultist at 7:16 PM on May 10, 2023 [3 favorites]
I do love that Jalopnik is claiming credit for catch Santos lying about his gas mileage early in the campaign.
posted by CostcoCultist at 7:20 PM on May 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by CostcoCultist at 7:20 PM on May 10, 2023 [6 favorites]
Here's your bipartisan Congressional scorecard covering the last 15 years of indictments. Take note of conviction rates, party affiliations and who was pardoned.
posted by JDC8 at 9:27 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by JDC8 at 9:27 PM on May 10, 2023 [1 favorite]
Santos, on the other hand, is crapping pineapples right now because he knows that moving on him like this means they've got him on the hook.
At the very least, I don't know what kind of defence he can put up to the unemployment benefits fraud charges. I'd have thought that where it's obvious and factual that his NY unemployment money was going into Account A at the same time as his $120K salary was going into Account B, he can't possibly have any way of countering that.
posted by essexjan at 4:18 AM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
At the very least, I don't know what kind of defence he can put up to the unemployment benefits fraud charges. I'd have thought that where it's obvious and factual that his NY unemployment money was going into Account A at the same time as his $120K salary was going into Account B, he can't possibly have any way of countering that.
posted by essexjan at 4:18 AM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Seen on Twitter in the last 24 hours: Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) says there is reason to believe that "Andrew Olson," identified as Santos's campaign treasurer, does not exist. Mother Jones reports that many of the 200 supposed donors to his campaign do not seem to exist as well.
posted by yclipse at 4:27 AM on May 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by yclipse at 4:27 AM on May 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
I’d wager money that if he makes it through the republican primary he would lose in the general. This isn’t a deep red district.
I'll wager money that he'll lose but the results will be orders of magnitude closer than they have every right to be.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:10 AM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'll wager money that he'll lose but the results will be orders of magnitude closer than they have every right to be.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:10 AM on May 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
He seems like a squealer, but the problem is that unless he kept meticulous iron clad records, his testimony against anyone else involved in routine corruption will be useless.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:48 AM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:48 AM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
if he makes it through the republican primary he would lose in the general
Like, Republican hypocrisy aside (a big shove), the local party has literally called on him to resign. There are a lot of unlikely ifs to even get him into the next primary.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:05 AM on May 11, 2023
Like, Republican hypocrisy aside (a big shove), the local party has literally called on him to resign. There are a lot of unlikely ifs to even get him into the next primary.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:05 AM on May 11, 2023
"After Santos’s original treasurer Nancy Marks quit, his political operation listed Thomas Datwyler as her replacement. Datwyler, however, said he was not the treasurer and that the signatures attributed to him were not authentic, and was replaced on filings by Olson. Without a treasurer, Santos is legally prohibited from raising and spending money." - from yclipse's CREW link.
Datwyler turned down the treasurer job on Monday, January 23rd. Two days later, "several fundraising committees associated with the freshman congressman [Devolder Santos Nassau Victory Committee, Devolder Santos For Congress Recount, GADS PAC] filed amendments to their statements of organizations, notifying the Federal Election Commission of a new treasurer," and "someone" with the committees' login credentials applied Datwyler's signature to these statements (ABC News).
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:59 AM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Datwyler turned down the treasurer job on Monday, January 23rd. Two days later, "several fundraising committees associated with the freshman congressman [Devolder Santos Nassau Victory Committee, Devolder Santos For Congress Recount, GADS PAC] filed amendments to their statements of organizations, notifying the Federal Election Commission of a new treasurer," and "someone" with the committees' login credentials applied Datwyler's signature to these statements (ABC News).
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:59 AM on May 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Remember all the Santos dinners and events at Il Bacco Ristorante in Queens? 45K in campaign expenditures, often in $199.99 increments, and he'd hyped the place on social media? The owners, members of the Oppedisano family, were part of his "Small Businesses for Santos" coalition? The restaurant owners contributed to his 2020 and 2022 campaigns, as did their relative, Rocco Oppedisano, 54.
"Oppedisano lived in the United States from the age of 5 with his family in New York, but he was deported from the country in January 2019 according to court documents."* Then:
"When Oppedisano was arrested on his 63-foot Sunseeker yacht, the INXS FINALLY, in December 2019 off the coast of Miami, the Coast Guard found he was smuggling over a dozen undocumented migrants from the Bahamas to Florida. They also said they found over $200,000 in U.S. and Bahamian currency hidden behind a panel in a closet on board." (George Santos' backers include a migrant smuggler, a big Trump donor and the cousin of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, CBS, 1/23/2023).
*Federal law prohibits contributions, donations, expenditures(including independent expenditures) and disbursements solicited, directed, received or made directly or indirectly by or from foreign nationals in connection with any federal, state or local election. [...] Foreign nationals are also prohibited from, directly or indirectly, donating to an inaugural committee; and it is a violation of federal law to knowingly accept such donations from a foreign national. (FEC)
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:28 AM on May 11, 2023
"Oppedisano lived in the United States from the age of 5 with his family in New York, but he was deported from the country in January 2019 according to court documents."* Then:
"When Oppedisano was arrested on his 63-foot Sunseeker yacht, the INXS FINALLY, in December 2019 off the coast of Miami, the Coast Guard found he was smuggling over a dozen undocumented migrants from the Bahamas to Florida. They also said they found over $200,000 in U.S. and Bahamian currency hidden behind a panel in a closet on board." (George Santos' backers include a migrant smuggler, a big Trump donor and the cousin of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, CBS, 1/23/2023).
*Federal law prohibits contributions, donations, expenditures(including independent expenditures) and disbursements solicited, directed, received or made directly or indirectly by or from foreign nationals in connection with any federal, state or local election. [...] Foreign nationals are also prohibited from, directly or indirectly, donating to an inaugural committee; and it is a violation of federal law to knowingly accept such donations from a foreign national. (FEC)
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:28 AM on May 11, 2023
Honestly, all this really proves is that if your grift doesn't enrich anyone but you, the system won't bend to let you get away with it.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:52 AM on May 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:52 AM on May 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
George Santos’s Spectacularly Dumb Alleged Scheme by David Firestone.
According to the indictment, he told donors they could support his campaign by giving money to a tax-exempt “social welfare organization,” known by its I.R.S. designation as a 501(c)(4) ... But Mr. Santos didn’t structure his fraud the usual way, according to the indictment. Instead, the government said, he set up a regular business and falsely told donors that it was a 501(c)(4).posted by Nelson at 1:36 PM on May 11, 2023
Let us NOT in ANY WHAT WHATSOEVER make this George Santos situation be about him being gay. Gay men are not habitually lying themselves into a position of national office. This is a pathological level of self-misrepresentation that goes far beyond any kind of closet issues that are normal for a queer person struggling within our culture.
Obviously, Santos does not represent gay men as a class anymore than the grotesque heterosexuality of a certain former president should be considered as an representation of all straight men. However, Santos' status as a gay man is an element in understanding him and really cannot be ignored. His sexuality didn't create him, but it did shape him, much as TFG's sexuality shaped him.
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:18 PM on May 11, 2023
Obviously, Santos does not represent gay men as a class anymore than the grotesque heterosexuality of a certain former president should be considered as an representation of all straight men. However, Santos' status as a gay man is an element in understanding him and really cannot be ignored. His sexuality didn't create him, but it did shape him, much as TFG's sexuality shaped him.
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:18 PM on May 11, 2023
However, Santos' status as a gay man is an element in understanding him and really cannot be ignored.
Sure.
His sexuality had nothing to do with him doing these things. It shaped him as a person, but did not make him into a charged criminal.
Please stop asserting any connection between his sexuality and his crimes. It is grotesque and has no place here.
posted by hippybear at 4:31 PM on May 11, 2023 [14 favorites]
Sure.
His sexuality had nothing to do with him doing these things. It shaped him as a person, but did not make him into a charged criminal.
Please stop asserting any connection between his sexuality and his crimes. It is grotesque and has no place here.
posted by hippybear at 4:31 PM on May 11, 2023 [14 favorites]
He'll 100% win a primary.
I give it even odds he wins the general.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:05 AM on May 12, 2023
I give it even odds he wins the general.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:05 AM on May 12, 2023
Santos has admitted theft by passing stolen cheques in Brazil in order to get the charges dropped.
posted by essexjan at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by essexjan at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Someone needs to make one of those "mom can we have" memes where it's Catch Me If You Can and the one we have at home is George Santos.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:44 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by uncleozzy at 8:44 AM on May 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Santos has admitted theft by passing stolen cheques in Brazil in order to get the charges dropped.
I'm a white dude, and it has never occurred to me that the act of admitting to theft by check fraud would be a path to avoiding any consequences for it.
(He has to make restitution, but big deal -- giving stolen money back doesn't mean "no harm, no foul.")
In-group the law protects but doesn't bind, etc.
posted by Gelatin at 9:04 AM on May 12, 2023
I'm a white dude, and it has never occurred to me that the act of admitting to theft by check fraud would be a path to avoiding any consequences for it.
(He has to make restitution, but big deal -- giving stolen money back doesn't mean "no harm, no foul.")
In-group the law protects but doesn't bind, etc.
posted by Gelatin at 9:04 AM on May 12, 2023
it has never occurred to me that the act of admitting to theft by check fraud would be a path to avoiding any consequences for it.
Note that this is in Brazil and the statutes about misdemeanors vs. felonies or what have you may be different.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:19 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Note that this is in Brazil and the statutes about misdemeanors vs. felonies or what have you may be different.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:19 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Granted, and there's zero chance that the US will extradite Santos to stand trial, so this deal was probably the best they could get under the circumstances. It's still mind boggling that Santos is admitting to criminal activity and will suffer little if any consequence for it.
His admission of criminal conduct also no doubt won't be enough for Speaker-Of-The_Moment McCarthy to remove him, as he wasn't "convicted."
posted by Gelatin at 9:51 AM on May 12, 2023
His admission of criminal conduct also no doubt won't be enough for Speaker-Of-The_Moment McCarthy to remove him, as he wasn't "convicted."
posted by Gelatin at 9:51 AM on May 12, 2023
Not to keep beating the same dead horse, but I don't think we should imagine that a conviction would be enough for McCarthy. He'd just move the goalpost to "let's wait for the appeal."
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:01 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:01 AM on May 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Santos seems to believe that if he dresses well enough, he can get away with anything.
I only wish I was more confident that’s not the case.
posted by jamjam at 11:24 AM on May 12, 2023
I only wish I was more confident that’s not the case.
posted by jamjam at 11:24 AM on May 12, 2023
I kind of wish that were the case as I don't think he's been dressed well even once (or put more cleverly by Derek Guy).
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 1:12 AM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 1:12 AM on May 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
You have to admit, he's got a look. Not a good look, but it's totally him as in, when I see a photo I automatically recognize "that's Santos" before I even get a good look at his face.
posted by ctmf at 10:07 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by ctmf at 10:07 AM on May 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
« Older Don’t Look Too Closely at the Charts | what's red and invisible? no tomatoes Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Gelatin at 7:44 AM on May 10, 2023 [2 favorites]