Brooklyn federal judge denies George Santos’ request to have ID theft charges dropped

July 23, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A federal judge in Brooklyn denied former Congressmember George Santos’ request to have specific charges dropped in a criminal fraud case against him, reported the Daily News on Monday, July 22. Judge Joanna Seybert decided to let stand all 23 charges against Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives in December. Santos wanted to dismiss three counts of aggravated identity theft, with his legal team arguing that his campaign simply overcharged donor credit cards but did not steal anyone’s identity. Federal prosecutors said that because the Santos campaign listed the overcharged donations under new names, including his own family and various associates without their consent, his actions constitute identity theft.

Santos was only in his first term in Congress, having taken the oath of office in January 2023. He had lied extensively about his education, background, finances and other matters.

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