Rep. George Santos is unwilling to consider a plea deal with federal prosecutors on charges of making false statements, money laundering, fraud and theft, the embattled New York Republican said Thursday.
Santos, who is under a 13-count federal indictment and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, left the door open, however, to the possibility of striking a deal with the Justice Department at some point in the future.
“Right now I’m not,” the 35-year-old Long Island lawmaker replied when asked by NewsNation’s Dan Abrams if he would consider a guilty plea.
“I am not making any allegations now. Like I said earlier, I’m like, it’s – right now, the answer is no. But you never know. Life is – you don’t know what life is going to come at you, you know?” he added.
Santos was embroiled in controversy shortly after his 2022 midterm election victory in New York’s 3rd Congressional District race when he admitted to lying about much of his background — including education, work experience and family history.
Santos was indicted on 13 criminal charges in May.FNTV
The New York Republican faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.FNTV
He was indicted on federal charges in May, with prosecutors alleging he embezzled $50,000 in campaign money to buy designer clothes and pay for personal expenses.
Santos pleaded not guilty and is free on a $500,000 bond posted by his father and aunt.
“Look, I think anyone would be afraid to go to jail, right?” Santos said during his interview with Abrams.
“But the reality is, at the moment, I’m sure I won’t do it,” added the pol who challenged the truth.
Santos is adamant that he will run for re-election in 2024 and is confident he can mount a successful campaign despite the impeachment.
“Look, remember Chris Collins, New York? He was re-elected under impeachment. We have members of Congress on both sides of the aisle up for re-election under impeachment because you fight, you are innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
