CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded not guilty Wednesday after he was arraigned on federal criminal charges that accused him of using "repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," prosecutors said.
Santos, 34, was released on a $500,000 bond and is due to appear in court again on June 30.
A 13-count indictment unsealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office charges the Republican congressman from New York with wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking with reporters afterwards, Santos slammed the prosecution as a "witch hunt."
"This is the beginning of the ability for me to address and defend myself," he said.
He also refused calls to resign or drop his recently announced reelection bid.
The indictment includes seven counts of wire fraud, three of money laundering, two of making false statements and one of theft of public funds.
Santos was arrested and surrendered at the federal courthouse in Central Islip on Wednesday morning, a day after news of his indictment broke.
The freshman representative said little during his afternoon arraignment, which lasted about 15 minutes.
His lawyer, Joseph Murray, said he plans to continue his recently announced reelection campaign, defying calls to resign.
Murray asked the judge for permission for Santos to travel freely, though the congressman did surrender his passport.
Murray said Santos was in good spirits, telling reporters: "We finally get to address all of these allegations."
Earlier in the day, dozens of reporters and photographers stood outside the courthouse waiting for Santos to walk up the steps and into the building, but he was brought through an entrance not accessible to the public.
The 20-page indictment alleges Santos induced supporters to donate to a company under the false pretense that the money would be used to support his campaign. Instead, it says, he used it for personal expenses, including luxury designer clothes and to pay off his credit cards.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the indictment “seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations.”
"Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," Peace said.
After he was elected last November to represent Nassau County and part of Queens, Santos made international headlines for fabricating key parts of his life story, including his professional resume. The lies and falsehoods snowballed over the weeks and months, leading to widespread and sustained calls for his resignation, which he has so far resisted, even announcing his 2024 reelection bid last month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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