# Representative George Santos: Indictment and Prosecution (Expelled from Congress on Dec 1, 2023) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 10, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850 "2023-05-10T14:28:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/21 "2023-05-10T13:55:18Z")
wire fraud in connection with soliciting campaign contributions and using the contributions for personal non campaign uses, which ties into, money laundering, in connection with moving the contributions around and into various accounts. theft of public funds, claiming unemployment during pandemic when employed. false statements to congress, falsifying financial disclosures on office paperwork. investigations are on going as the campaign fund issues are not from this campaign cycle. we may need to change the title to reflect his new title as defendant. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/22 "2023-05-10T13:56:57Z")
The speed of this indictment is really going to rile up the Garland is (incompetent/cowardly/Republican patsy) crowd. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/23 "2023-05-10T14:06:47Z")
Here is a detailed description of the charges: > **[Congressman George Santos Charged with Fraud, Money Laundering, Theft of...](https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/congressman-george-santos-charged-fraud-money-laundering-theft-public-funds-and-false)** > > “This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on... Here is the full indictment: [https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/santos.indictment.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/santos.indictment.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/24 "2023-05-10T14:12:52Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > The speed of this indictment is really going to rile up the Garland is (incompetent/cowardly/Republican patsy) crowd. George Santos is a nobody and the charges are pretty run of the mill. Trump is a former president of the United States, running for President, and the charges relate to actions taken in his time in office and afterwards. Different time lines are understandable, to be really sure before seeking an indictment. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/25 "2023-05-10T14:13:45Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > we may need to change the title to reflect his new title as defendant. Or maybe break this into a new thread? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/26 "2023-05-10T14:16:35Z")
Does being a congressman shield him from any charges? I know he can still keep his job, but does it offer any legal advantages? Does he have to hire his own lawyer? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/27 "2023-05-10T14:24:54Z")
I think that’s a good idea. Let’s start a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/28 "2023-05-10T14:25:24Z")
Here is an informative Wikipedia page: > **[List of American federal politicians convicted of crimes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_federal_politicians_convicted_of_crimes)** > > This list consists of American politicians convicted of crimes either committed or prosecuted while holding office in the federal government. It includes politicians who were convicted or pleaded guilty in a court of law; and does not include politicians involved in unprosecuted scandals (which may or may not have been illegal in nature), or politicians who have only been arrested or indicted. The list also does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure unless they specific... Based on the number of congresscritters on the list, I believe the answer to your first question is “no”. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/29 "2023-05-10T14:33:20Z")
Glad to hear this. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/30 "2023-05-10T14:35:12Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Does being a congressman shield him from any charges? No > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Does he have to hire his own lawyer? Yes ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/31 "2023-05-10T14:38:43Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > 13 counts, 7 wire fraud, 3 money laundering, thief of public funds, 2 false statements to congress. He’s only being charged for two false statements? It’s like the DA isn’t even trying. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/32 "2023-05-10T14:43:35Z")
Probably the two lies charged are ones that have legal significance, not just the resume inflation. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/33 "2023-05-10T14:49:43Z")
I personally think he should be kicked in the downstairs for the dog-care scam, but that’s not really a legal proceeding. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/34 "2023-05-10T15:00:09Z")
Actually, I’d think the dog-care scam could be a state fraud case since he took money under false pretenses without providing the bargained-for services. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/35 "2023-05-10T15:22:40Z")
Any idea when trial may be? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/36 "2023-05-10T15:23:17Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I personally think he should be kicked in the downstairs for the dog-care scam Perhaps the most stunning thing about Santos is that when you talk about the dog scam, I have to say, “Be more specific.” I _think_ you mean the disabled-veteran’s-dog scam on GoFundMe. But maybe you mean the Amish-dog-breed-rescue charity event scam? When you have two completely separate scams involving fake care for needy dogs, you’re a real piece of work. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/37 "2023-05-10T15:27:31Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Any idea when trial may be? it’s likely way too early to know that, at this point. Santos has his first hearing before a judge this afternoon; there’ll undoubtedly be a next court date set at that point, but it may be a while before we know anything about a trial date. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/38 "2023-05-10T16:32:21Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > When you have two completely separate scams involving fake care for needy dogs, you’re a real piece of work. I’d forgotten about the Amish one. Make it one kick and paper cuts between five fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/39 "2023-05-10T16:35:59Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Thoughts and prayers. Of course. But who is he thinking of and praying for? Anyway: [gift article from the NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/05/10/nyregion/george-santos-charges-news?unlocked_article_code=ja1fcPOYbHfnxLbyVZsiXGCco0dTqPtl6KZobf5BbfrVXCkXHnzZborUvVhdflvbGpuvBpWpZcBjj5ewaYBMP7RNLqSdAS2IAaxOyTkQSjPJjCBDWvQKmAlAy8NglZfk1x8x6OCYqDBAg6NwzYSNhjYFAl_arTFrnGeus5NXMSfC1dc3X5mCBfHhldJLSHETrHhf6Ov_f1nnelYmp6HiGy-t0Rs0SYIp8faN9PX7rkRttQQmQmqUn0QLIXsbxLrsr6uU1yoogIGzDISuWE8DK-WygILUuZkJvQ_5g3wy12sA5hHJyKx99Oj7S95cayVwmPjagwSzC7I7jntEgym5njUcC64SwKn46J-1ibGLwQ&smid=url-share). With links to the indictment, reactions by some and some funny trivia. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850/40 "2023-05-10T16:41:45Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Probably the two lies charged are ones that have legal significance, not just the resume inflation. Right. The NYT article to which @Pardel-Lux shared a gift link includes this, about those charges: > [@](#): > > **Making false statements to the House of Representatives** > Related to materially false statements on personal financial disclosure reports. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representative-george-santos-indictment-and-prosecution-expelled-from-congress-on-dec-1-2023/983850.md?page=3)