George Santos Expelled from House, Indicted on Multiple Charges
Ethics Violations and Criminal Indictment
On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to expel Republican Representative George Santos of New York following an ethics investigation into numerous violations.
Expulsion for Ethics Violations
The House Ethics Committee concluded that Santos had repeatedly lied about his education, work experience, and financial situation. The committee found that these misrepresentations violated House rules and brought the chamber into disrepute.
Federal Indictment
In a separate development, a federal grand jury indicted Santos on 13 criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and stealing public funds. The indictment alleges that Santos lied to investors in a Ponzi scheme and to the Federal Election Commission about the sources of his campaign funding.
Plea of Not Guilty
Santos pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance on Wednesday. He has maintained his innocence and vowed to fight the allegations.
Sixth Member to Be Expelled
Santos' expulsion makes him only the sixth member of the U.S. House to be expelled since the Civil War. The vote was largely along party lines, with all Democrats and a handful of Republicans voting to remove him.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigations into Santos' conduct are ongoing. Federal prosecutors are continuing their work on the criminal case, while the House Ethics Committee is expected to release a report on its findings soon.
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