U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded not guilty to charges he misled donors, stole from his campaign and lied to Congress about being a millionaire. The politician also allegedly claimed unemployment benefits he didn’t deserve.
Santos is infamous for lying about his entire life. He previously claimed to be Jewish…he is not. He lied about where he went to school and his prior work experience and falsely claiming his mother died during the attack on the Twin Towers.
Santos was released on a $500,000 bond following his arraignment. He faces charges of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress.
“This is the beginning of the ability for me to address and defend myself,” Santos told reporters per AP News.
Santos was elected to Congress on Nov. 8 to represent the Long Island- and Queens-based 3rd District. He claimed his grandparents escaped the Nazis during World War II.