Federal prosecutors formally filed criminal charges against controversial Congressman George Santos (R-NYish) on Tuesday.
At press time, the charges against Santos remained sealed. But it’s not hard to imagine they have something to do with fraud.
FBI and DOJ public integrity prosecutors in both New York and Washington have been investigating false statements in Santos’ campaign finance filings as well as other financial claims.
As first reported by CNN, George “Anthony Devolder Zabrovsky Kitara Ravache Jingleheimer Schmidt” Santos is expected to appear as soon as Wednesday at federal court in New York’s eastern district.
GURL, is there enough popcorn anywhere?
Santos has been the target of multiple investigations, including by the House Ethics Committee. He recently evaded Brazilian prison, plus he’s been accused of *checks lengthy notes*:
- breaking campaign finance laws
- violating federal conflict of interest laws
- stealing cash meant for an Iraq War veteran’s dying dog,
- masterminding a credit card fraud scheme
- lying about where he went to school and worked
- faking a volleyball championship from the college he never attended
- letting everyone think he was Jewish
- pretending his mother died on 9/11 and then again from cancer
Stories about Santos grifting his former roommates and co-workers began to surface just as he became more emboldened by the embrace of GOP Leadership.
Despite all that — plus being mocked on Twitter and late-night TV — Santos repeatedly refused to resign.
The truth-deficient congressman stayed planted even after demands from his own constituents to step down because he was seemingly protected by “Weaker Speaker” Kevin McCarthy and his boss, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
When asked if he’ll remove Santos from his caucus now that he’s been federally charged, McCarthy said he’ll “look at the charges before determining” if he thinks Santos should be removed from Congress.
Twitter was all, YA THINK?
Tapper: George Santos of New York is now facing criminal charges. pic.twitter.com/MJ5Kq3n6iU
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 9, 2023
Your Honor, before we proceed with United States v Santos, I have an exhibit to present. pic.twitter.com/jd1hGSQNQa
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 9, 2023
🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: Rep. George Santos has been CHARGED by the Justice Department as a result of their federal probe.
Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against New York Rep. George Santos, the Republican lawmaker whose astonishing pattern of lies and fabrications… pic.twitter.com/32l7SNEsRV
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) May 9, 2023
George Santos’ most recent post (and ratio) on Bluesky from two days ago. pic.twitter.com/XPcZiYgbdZ
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) May 9, 2023
[This is a breaking and developing story, please check back for updates]
*THIS IS AN OPINION COLUMN THAT SOLELY REPRESENTS THE OPINIONS OF TARA DUBLIN. HOORAY FOR THE FREE PRESS!*
Other hot takes by Tara Dublin can be found on TikTok and Twitter @taradublinrocks.
