George Santos (R-NY) is set to be sworn in as a representative on Tuesday, despite an ongoing investigation by federal and local authorities into claims of campaign-trail deception.
The New York Times reported that Brazilian officials “want to rekindle fraud suspicions” against Santos for stealing his checkbook in 2008.
The police were reportedly unable to track him down. Therefore, the proceedings were halted. Brazilian prosecutors will formally request that Santos be informed of the charges against him by the United States Department of Justice.
The incident reportedly occurred when Santos, then 19 years old, went to a local clothing store and made a $700 purchase using a stolen checkbook and a made-up name. After being caught, he admitted his guilt on a Brazilian social media site the following year.
A complaint filed in 2010 states that he and his mother told police that he had taken the checkbook and made illicit transactions. He left the nation and eventually relocated to the United States once the indictment against Santos was finally granted the following year.
The paper claims that Santos has yet to respond to requests for comment from either American or Brazilian authorities. That, however, may alter as the case develops. If convicted, Santos faces up to 5.5 years in prison.
Santos admitted that he did not complete college and had made up his employment history at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, two of the largest financial institutions in the world. Santos said he lied about some things in his life story, including his sexual orientation, religion, and personal life. Despite the uproar, he said he would continue to focus on his duties.
Santos defended himself by saying, “I am not a criminal,” in response to accusations that he had misbehaved. In the legislature, I will continue to have an impact. Success is assured on my part. I’ll try to behave myself from now on.
Prosecutors on Long Island said last month that they would be looking into the bombshell claims made against Santos.
The district attorney for Nassau County, Anne T. Donnelly, has said, “The various fabrications and discrepancies related to Congressman-Elect Santos are nothing short of astounding.”
Furthermore, she underlined the need to have an “honest and accountable representative” in Congress for the residents of Nassau County and the remainder of New York’s Third Congressional District. Criminal activity in this county will be dealt with severely. No one is immune to justice.
Local New York prosecutors began the inquiry into Santos, 34, on March 1, and on March 2, federal prosecutors said they had also opened a criminal investigation into Santos.