George Santos arrested for fraud, theft, money laundering and false testimony

New York Republican Rep. George Santos was released on bail Wednesday after turning himself in and pleading not guilty in federal court on Long Island. The congressman had been arrested earlier in the morning, but has since been released on $500,000 bail.

According to The New York Times, Santos is charged with 13 counts, including wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements to the House of Representatives, as well as one count of theft of public funds.

As previously reported by , the Department of Justice had filed criminal charges against the Republican representative of New York's 3rd district among those targeting false testimony in his campaign finance disclosures to the House of Representatives.

George Santos, a freshman congressman, was elected last year to represent New York's third district, which includes parts of Long Island and Queens. The legislator has been the subject of numerous investigations and is in the crosshairs of the House Ethics Committee. Santos has been found to have made numerous false claims about his biography, employment history, criminal record, financial situation, ethnicity, religion and other matters, both publicly and privately.

After he was elected to office, it became known that much of his biography appeared to be fabricated, everything from his education, employment and even his family background.

However, the New York Republican has ignored requests that he resign and has filed for re-election in 2024.