Santos and Prosecutors to Keep Negotiating Plea Deal

Federal prosecutors and attorneys for former Republican New York congressman George Santos said Tuesday they are continuing negotiations on a plea deal ahead of his trial for fraud and money laundering that is scheduled for September.

Santos was in court for a status hearing in federal court on Long Island, where prosecutors informed the judge they don’t need another such conference so that the sides can continue to “pursue plea negotiations.” Prosecutors in a December filing said their goal was to resolve “this matter without the need of a trial.”

Santos’ lawyer Joseph Murray told the judge that negotiations remain “productive.” Two new Santos lawyers joined Murray for Tuesday’s hearing. 

Santos is due back in court Aug 13.

Santos is facing 23 felony charges, including two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated theft, accused of stealing donors’ identities and charging thousands of dollars in fraudulent transactions on their credit cards. He’s also accused of lying to Congress about his wealth, receiving unemployment benefits while employed, and using campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses like designer clothing. 

He has pleaded not guilty.

Santos was expelled from Congress on Dec. 1 after a 311-114 vote, which included 112 Republicans. The expulsion came after a House Ethics Committee report found “overwhelming evidence” that Santos had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own profit.

The special election to replace him will be held Feb. 13. He told reporters on Tuesday that he doesn’t plan to vote. The race pits Republican county lawmaker Mazi Pilip against Democrat and former congressman Thomas Suozzi, who previously represented the district for six years during a lengthy career in Long Island politics.

Reporters asked Santos if he missed being on Capitol Hill.

“Sure. I worked hard to get there,” he said.