Topline
Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) signed an agreement with Brazilian authorities Thursday that will clear him of prosecution for using forged checks in 2008, just one day after the embattled first-term lawmaker pleaded not guilty to a litany of separate wire fraud and money laundering charges in New York.
U.S. Rep. George Santos speaks to reporters outside of the federal courthouse in Central Islip, … [+]
Key Facts
In exchange for a confession and nearly $5,000 in payments, Santos avoided prosecution for using two stolen checks to purchase $1,300 of clothes and shoes from a clerk near Rio De Janeiro, according to CNN and the Associated Press.
Approximately $2,000 will go to the government as a fine and another $2,800 will go to the victim of the scheme, the victim told CNN.
Santos, who attended via video conference, has 30 days to make the payment via bank transfer.
Tangent: The fraud charges against Santos in Brazil were first filed in 2011 but subpoenas went unanswered—leaving the case suspended by 2013. Prosecutors petitioned to reopen the case after Santos won a U.S. congressional seat last year.
Key Background: The charges in Brazil are separate from the ones Santos currently faces in the United States. On Wednesday, Santos was arrested and taken into custody on 13 federal charges that include money laundering, wire fraud and falsifying financial statements to the House of Representatives. Prosecutors allege Santos falsified financial statements, fraudulently collected unemployment, and defrauded political donors by asking them to send their money to an LLC and scheming to use it for personal expenses. Santos has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied all wrongdoing. The congressman has faced scrutiny for months for lying about his personal and professional background, and for questionable financial disclosures.
Further Reading:
Santos avoids prosecution in deal with Brazilian authorities in fraud case (CNN)
George Santos inks deal to avoid prosecution in Brazil over bad checks (Washington Post)
George Santos Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud Charges (Forbes)
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