Long Island Rep. George Santos’ former fundraiser for lying pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal felony charges — becoming the second former ally to turn against the disgraced New York Republican.
Samuel Miele, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after defrauding a donor before US District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip.
Miele was charged in August with aggravated identity theft and wire fraud after he allegedly impersonated a top aide to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in calls and emails to potential donors.
The former staffer is now passing the hat for Santos during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles in the guise of Dan Meyer, McCarthy’s chief of staff, who retired in June of this year.
Miele is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30 and faces between 27 and 33 months under federal sentencing guidelines.
Last month, Santos’ former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud, admitting that she and the lawmaker fabricated financial reports to say Santos loaned his own campaign $500,000.
Santos pleaded not guilty to 10 additional campaign finance fraud charges at a hearing on Long Island on Oct. 27.REUTERS
Marks, who resigned in late January from the Santos campaign, faces up to five years in prison and possible restitution fines. Under sentencing guidelines, he could face up to four years in prison.
Santos himself, 35, pleaded not guilty to 10 additional campaign finance fraud charges at a trial on Long Island on Oct. 27.
Nancy Marks resigned in late January from the Santos.AP campaign
Santos was initially charged in May with a dozen federal charges alleging false statements, money laundering, fraud and theft – including allegations that he embezzled $50,000 in campaign funds to buy designer clothes and pay personal expenses.
Federal prosecutors allege the scandal-plagued Santos also cheated on COVID unemployment benefits and lied to Congress on financial disclosure forms in which he claimed to be a millionaire.
Santos faces a maximum of 22 years in prison if convicted.
The next court date is on Dec. 12.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
