Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) plans to plead guilty Monday to multiple counts in his federal fraud case. Jury selection was set to begin on Sept. 9. Santos has previously pleaded not guilty to a range of financial crimes, including lying to Congress about his wealth, collecting unemployment benefits while actually working and using campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses such as designer clothing, the Associated Press reports. Among charges Santos faces are wire fraud, theft of public funds, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.
Prosecutors had said that the trial could last three weeks, as they expected to call at least three dozen witnesses, including victims of Santos’ alleged crimes. Santos has called the investigation a “witch hunt,” claims that prosecutors called “baseless.” Asked if he was afraid of going to prison, he said, “I think everybody should be afraid of going to jail, it’s not a pretty place and uh, I definitely want to work very hard to avoid that as best as possible.” Last week, Judge Joanna Seybert rejected Santos’ request that potential jurors fill out a written questionnaire gauging their opinions of him. His lawyers argued in court filings it was necessary because “for all intents and purposes, Santos has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.” Two campaign aides to Santos have pleaded guilty to crimes related to the former congressman’s campaign.
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