George Santos Backers Who Paid For His Bail Must Be Revealed, Rules Judge

Embattled Rep. George Santos of New York avoided jail time after several people cosigned his bail bond worth $500.000. However, he fought to keep them a secret. Now, a judge has ruled against him and stated that their names must be released to the public.

For now, however, the names of these people who helped pay Santos's bond will remain a secret as the Republican congressman is already planning to appeal the decision.

This comes as several news outlets, including the Associated Press and The New York Times, have petitioned US Magistrate Judge Anne Shields to reveal the George Santos backers.

However, Santos's lawyer, Joseph Murray, argued that his client's cosigners could "suffer great distress: if their names were made public. They could also lose their jobs and suffer physical harm, according to Santos's lawyer.

Murray also stated that his client and members of his staff have received threatening and harassing calls and messages which include death threats. He also stated that the embattled congressman's critics "are just waiting to pounce" on the people backing his release.

George Santos Previously Said He Would Rather Go to Jail Than Expose Backers

Should Santos lose his appeal, the congressman must reveal who were his bail bond cosigners or risk having that bond forfeited and he will be thrown in jail.

However, before Judge Shields ruled that the Santos bail backers must be revealed, Santos told the media that he would rather go to jail than expose who were the people who paid for his bail.

According to Business Insider, the George Santos backers met with Judge Anne Shields in a clandestine hearing, with their names remaining sealed from the public. This led to the consortium of media organizations asking the judge to divulge the names of the bond guarantors.

The letter stated that there is a "compelling public interest" in maintaining transparency in the proceedings involving Santos, who is facing 13 criminal charges, including fraud. The New York Republican reportedly solicited donations that were supposed to be for his campaign but instead spent them on personal expenses.

Prosecutors also alleged that he improperly collected unemployment benefits while he was employed with a six-figure salary. Santos is also accused of filing filed false financial disclosure reports to Congress for his two election campaigns.

Santos has pleaded not guilty on all charges and is out on bail, though if he loses his appeal and does not disclose his backers, he may actually land in jail.

George Santos Backer May Include an Indicted Chinese Billionaire

There were three people who allegedly helped Santos out, and one of them may be exiled Chinese tycoon and Republican patron Guo Wengui. Santos has been supportive of the Chinese businessman in recent months, per Business Insider.

Santos reportedly showed his support to Guo, who was indicted last March as he was accused of running a complicated billion-dollar fraud scheme. He claims to have been exiled from Communist China and has since been endorsing right-wing figures like Steve Bannon.

However, many also believe that Guo is actually a Chinese spy. Despite this, Santos has publicly voiced his support of the Chinese tycoon in various videos and social media posts.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rep. George Santos asks judge to keep records of who helped pay his bond sealed - CBS New York