George Santos expected to plead guilty on Monday

Former New York Rep. George Santos is anticipated to plead guilty on Monday to federal charges stemming from fraudulent activities during his 2022 midterm campaign, according to sources familiar with the case.

Santos, who was expelled from the House last year, faces 23 federal charges, including allegations of fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misusing campaign funds, and providing false information about his finances on House disclosure reports. Initially pleading not guilty, Santos now plans to enter a plea deal following his campaign fundraiser Sam Miele’s guilty plea for federal wire fraud last November, and his former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks’ guilty plea for conspiracy to defraud the United States in October.

Representing New York’s 3rd Congressional District as a Republican, Santos became the sixth lawmaker expelled from the House and the first expelled without a conviction or support for the Confederacy. Despite surviving previous ousting attempts, momentum against Santos mounted after a House Ethics Committee report detailed his exploitation of his candidacy for personal financial gain.

Santos briefly attempted a congressional comeback this year as an independent in New York’s 1st District, later withdrawing his bid to reportedly avoid dividing the GOP vote.