Rep. George Santos pleads not guilty to 13 criminal counts

Tonight, Congressman George Santos is free on half a million dollars bond after being arrested and charged with 13 federal crimes, including fraud and money laundering. He left the courthouse on Long Island this afternoon to a crush of reporters. Late tonight, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is saying he does not support Santos' bid for a second term. Long Island reporter Shonte Lance, who's been following every twist and turn of the story, has the latest. Melee surrounding and battled Congressman George Santos outside of Central Isle of Federal Court after he was criminally charged on a 13-count indictment. Look, this is the beginning of the ability for me to address and defend myself. He was arraigned on Long Island, which is the same place he successfully campaigned on egregious lies that he told to his 700,000 constituents.

And a gaggle of reporters, the freshman Republican rep, answered my questions outside of court. $750,000, they said that you reported that wrongly. Do you have any comment to that? Well, like I said, I will be giving them all, will be delivering all the finances of my company, delivering all my finances to them to dispel their accusation against me. Prosecutors charge Congressman Santos with wire fraud, money laundering, stealing public funds and lying on federal disclosure forms. The 13-count 19-page indictment outlines multiple alleged schemes, including Santos fraudulently applying for and receiving unemployment benefits when he was employed and running for Congress. This, as Santos is cosponsoring a bill that would crack down on unemployment fraud. I spoke with his attorney, Joe Murray, outside of court.

Pretty serious allegations, taking unemployment and using the money when you have a hundred and twenty. The government comes after you. It's a serious case. So we have to take this serious. We have to look at, you know, all the evidence. Santos has admitted to lying about his employment, education and family history, but has denied any legal wrongdoing. You will not resign.

I will not resign. Last month, the 34-year-old announced that he will run again, despite previously saying he wouldn't. The bold move is drawing strong criticism and outrage from both New York Democrats and Republicans, like Nassau County District Attorney Ann Donnelly, whose office is also investigating Santos' campaign finances. I don't think anything surprises me with George Santos, but I will say this. It was a very well-run investigation. The investigators involved in it left no stones unturned, and they uncovered more inconsistencies than we ever thought possible. If convicted, Congressman George Santos faces up to twenty years in prison.

He's due right back here at federal court on June 30th. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

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