Ex-George Santos fundraiser who impersonated Kevin McCarthy aide pleads guilty

A former fundraiser for lying Long Island Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal criminal charges — becoming the second ex-associate to turn against the disgraced New York Republican.

Samuel Miele, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after defrauding donors before US District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip.

Miele was charged in August with aggravated identity theft and wire fraud after he allegedly impersonated a top aide to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in calls and emails to potential donors.

The now-former staffer passed the hat for Santos during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles in the guise of Dan Meyer, McCarthy’s chief of staff who retired in June of this year.

Miele is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30 and faces between 27 to 33 months under federal sentencing guidelines.

Last month, former Santos campaign treasurer Nancy Marks, 58, pleaded guilty to a single count of fraud conspiracy, admitting that she and the lawmaker had fabricated financial reports to say that Santos loaned his own campaign $500,000.

Marks, who resigned in late January from Santos’s campaign, faces up to five years in prison and a possible restitution fine. Under sentencing guidelines, she could face up to four years behind bars.

Santos himself, 35, pleaded not guilty to 10 additional campaign finance fraud charges at an arraignment on Long Island on Oct. 27.

Santos was initially hit with a dozen federal charges in May for alleged false statements, money laundering, fraud and theft — including claims that he embezzled $50,000 in campaign money to buy designer clothing and pay personal expenses.

Federal prosecutors alleged that the scandal-plagued Santos also bilked COVID unemployment benefits and lied to Congress on financial disclosure forms where he claimed to be a millionaire.

Santos faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison if convicted.

His next court date is on Dec. 12.