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.
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.
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, 34, surrendered at the federal courthouse in Central Islip on Wednesday morning. He was expected to be arraigned in the afternoon.
Dozens of reporters and photographers stood outside the courthouse waiting for Santos to walk up the steps and into the building, but apparently he was brought to an area not allowed by the public, and he walked inside through that entrance.
The 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.
Santos also is accused of lying about his finances on congressional disclosure forms and applying for and receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed as regional director of an investment firm and running for Congress.
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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