Listed below are the 13 counts New York Rep. George Santos faces
NEW YORK — A 13-count federal indictment unsealed Wednesday in New York accuses U.S. Rep. George Santos of embezzling cash from his marketing campaign, falsely receiving unemployment funds and mendacity to Congress about his funds.
In a information launch, the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Japanese District of New York stated the costs in opposition to the New York Republican embrace three counts of “cash laundering,” although the indictment doesn’t use that particular phrasing.
The next are the counts Santos faces as they’re described within the indictment, and the utmost sentences as spelled out within the U.S. prison code:
COUNTS 1-5: “Wire Fraud — Fraudulent Political Contribution Solicitation Scheme”
Wire fraud refers to using telephones, e-mail or different types of communication to commit a criminal offense. Such costs are widespread in a variety of prison circumstances, from drug trafficking to political corruption.
In Santos’ case, these counts relate to allegations that he hoodwinked donors into contributing cash by telling them their contributions could be used for marketing campaign adverts when he truly spent it on himself, together with to purchase designer garments and make bank card funds.
Potential sentence: Though the indictment doesn’t embrace potential sentences, U.S. statutes say every wire fraud rely carries a most 20-year jail time period.
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COUNTS 6-8: “Illegal Financial Transactions Over $10,000”
This rely incorporates the allegation that in 2022, Santos illegally transferred a $25,000 marketing campaign donation from one donor and a $24,000 donation from one other to a checking account he managed.
Potential sentence: Underneath the statute, the utmost sentences can vary from a number of years to many years in jail, relying on aggravating elements.
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COUNT 9: “Theft of Public Cash”
This cost alleges that in 2020 and 2021, Santos embezzled U.S. funds by falsely acquiring cash put aside for unemployed folks in the course of the peak of the pandemic, even thought he was being paid a considerable wage on the time.
Potential sentence: A conviction carries a most sentence of 1 yr in jail.
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COUNTS 10-11: “Wire Fraud — Fraudulent Software for and Receipt of Unemployment Profit”
These counts additionally seek advice from the alleged scheme to acquire cash earmarked to assist People who misplaced work due to COVID-19. The rely refers to 2 $564 checks that allegedly have been wired to Santos.
Potential sentence: Every rely carries a most jail time period of 20 years.
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COUNT 12: “False Statements — 2020 Home Disclosure Studies”
Underneath this rely, Santos is accused of mendacity on a 2020 Home monetary disclosure type, which requires legislators to provide a whole account of their earnings and belongings.
Potential sentence: A conviction carries a five-year jail time period.
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COUNT 13: “False Statements— 2022 Home Disclosure Studies”
This rely makes largely the identical allegations as Rely 12 however pertains to alleged mendacity on his 2022 monetary disclosure type.
Potential sentence: A conviction carries a five-year jail time period.