George Santos Case: 1.3 Million Pieces of Evidence Collected in New York, According to His Attorney
In Central Islip, N.Y., on Tuesday morning, former Rep. George Santos made a court appearance for a status conference as he navigates potential plea deal discussions related to fraud charges. Despite the legal proceedings, Santos seemed to be in good spirits, sharing smiles and laughter with his attorney upon arrival.
Santos, who mentioned an injured foot, sported Ferragamo sneakers instead of his customary luxury red loafers. However, upon leaving the court, he wasn’t his usual chatty self. The legal developments surrounding Santos continue to unfold, with the possibility of a plea deal in the works.
Remaining tight-lipped on the possibility of a plea deal, George Santos, instead, enjoyed a cup of coffee as he departed, offering no insights into potential developments in court regarding a guilty plea.
While prosecutors confirmed engagement in plea negotiations to settle the matter without a trial, they proposed advancing the trial date to spring if a deal isn’t reached. The judge, considering the extensive review required for 1.3 million discovery material documents by the defense, leans toward maintaining a September start.
Amidst legal proceedings, Santos has been actively on the money trail, significantly increasing his Cameo fee from $75 to $500 per message. In an interview with CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer on “The Point” post-expulsion, Santos revealed making more in seven days on Cameo than during his entire tenure in Congress.
Former Kevin McCarthy staffer inspired the idea, saying, “George, you have such a large personality. The people love you,” recalled Santos.
Santos, currently on a $500,000 unsecured bond, greeted reporters outside the courtroom, expressing, “Happy Holidays” and a wish for a break from mentioning his name.
Prosecutors informed the judge about ongoing plea negotiations, emphasizing that no formal offer has been presented yet.
Facing almost two dozen charges, including wire fraud, identity theft, campaign finance violations, and others, Santos was expelled from Congress on December 1.
Scheduled to return to court on January 23, Santos remains a focal point in legal proceedings, with the possibility of plea negotiations continuing.
