US Rep. George Santos out on bail after not guilty plea to federal charges of fraud, theft of public funds, money laundering, false statements
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — While the truth may not set U.S. Rep. George Santos free, a federal judge did Wednesday.
The oft-disparaged first-term New York congressman pleaded not guilty in a Long Island courtroom to a 13-count federal indictment charging him with wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress.
ADVERTISING
“This is the beginning of the ability for me to address and defend myself,” Santos told reporters after the hearing, vowing to clear his name. “It makes no sense that in four months, five months, I’m indicted!”
The famously fact-challenged Santos, wearing sunglasses as he left court, also invoked a favorite mantra of ex-President Donald Trump by dismissing his prosecution as a “witch hunt.” He later tweeted the same message in all caps.
A media horde gathered outside the courthouse to wait for the Republican politician’s emergence after the hearing, with the defendant affirming his intention to run for a second term and declaring he would not resign.
Santos, despite his sketchy claims of business success, was released after posting $500,000 bond pending a June 30 court date. He arrived for the hearing clutching papers in his hands, wearing a dark blue blazer, tie and khaki pants, and sat quietly during the court proceeding.
His attorney gently patted the defendant as they sat side by side in court, and Santos spoke only in response to the judge.
The elected official, who at one point ran his hand through his hair, was ordered to surrender his passport and barred from traveling without permission to anyplace outside Long Island, New York.
