George Santos Trying To Get ID Theft Charges Dropped, Prosecutors, Asking Judge To Say No
Disgraced former Republican New York Rep. George Santos took some time off his cameo appearances and defending Donald Trump to try and have some of his federal fraud charges dismissed and is even asking the judge overseeing the case to do so. However, prosecutors are saying no.
Santos and his legal team moved to dismiss three of the 23 counts against the Cameo star and MAGA Republican politician last month. They argued that the e aggravated identity theft charges conflicted with a recent decision by the US Supreme Court.
The former lawmaker added that he was not accused of stealing donors' credit card information, but of overcharging his donors' credit cards without permission instead.
"All of the credit cards were voluntarily sent to Santos' campaign and his campaign was authorized to charge the cards for a specified amount," the George Santos defense team wrote in the legal documents obtained by the New York Daily News.
However, prosecutors were having none of it and recently answered the motion, calling the filing "meritless" and arguing that the 2023 Supreme Court decision, which narrows the use of aggravated identity theft charges, will not apply in his case.
The prosecutors added that the former New York congressman did not just overcharge his supporters' credit cards, but also used d other people's personal information to make it seem like "different people were making the various charges, thus allowing him to charge the same credit cards multiple times for campaign contributions without appearing to exceed campaign contribution limits."
The former New York Republican representative, who was kicked out of office earlier, will possibly go on trial in a Long Island federal court on September 9. He is facing multiple fraud charges.
READ MORE: George Santos Ends Congress Bid in New York After Raising $0 for a Month
What Charges Is George Santos Facing?
George Santos, a Brazilian-American,. became only the sixth lawmaker in history to be expelled from the US House of Representatives last year. He faces a variety of charges which have led to him being expelled from Congress.
According to the Associated Press, his charges include defrauding his campaign donors, lying to Congress about his wealth, receiving unemployment benefits while employed, and using campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses. These personal expenses include lavish vacation trips and also buying designer clothing with his donors' money. He already pleaded not guilty last October.
"Santos did not merely 'use' credit card information that he properly possessed; he abused it, with specific intent to defraud, to increase the amount of money he had appeared to raise as a candidate for the House," the filing from the prosecutors read. "Nor did he merely 'use' names in entering fraudulent charges on his victims' credit cards; he misused them deceitfully, with specific intent to mask, conceal, and prolong his unlawful activities."
George Santos Said He Will Revive His Drag Persona on Cameo
One of George Santos's biggest scandals was that even though he billed himself as a conservative, he also became a drag queen while he was still living in Brazil. He has repeatedly denied being a drag queen but after mounting evidence, he finally admitted to it. Now, he is reviving that drag persona.
Santos is reportedly having financial troubles and has been making money by handing out customized videos for sale on Cameo. The former Congressman promised that he will be bringing back his "Kitara" persona for the app.
"Y'all weren't ready for this drop?" he posted on X. "I've decided to bring Kitara out of the closet after 18 years!"
READ MORE: George Santos Wants To Be Donald Trump's Head of ICE
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Dr. Phil DESTROYS George Santos' Fabricated World Of Lies | Dr. Phil Primetime