United States: George Santos, former US representative, is declining to vote in the upcoming special election set for next month that will fill his now vacant Congress seat.
The fallen New York Republican, who was expelled from the US House of Representatives last year after becoming only the sixth lawmaker in history to be removed for cause — comments made Tuesday following a swift hearing at federal court on Long Island ahead of his criminal fraud trial slated later this year.
Special Election Details
On Tuesday, Santos told reporters that he probably won’t vote at all on February 13 in a special election for his seat, which represents the northernmost parts of Queens as well as Long Island.
Mazi Pilip, a relatively obscure Republican County lawmaker, is to face Thomas Suozzi, who was once one of the district’s Democratic former congressmen as well and previously held that position for six years during an extended political career on Long Island.
Allegations and legal updates
Santos faces a raft of criminal counts in the federal case, including allegations that he cheated campaign donors, lied to Congress about his wealth, obtained unemployment benefits while employed, and used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses such as designer apparel. He pleaded not guilty to an amended indictment in October.
In contrast to his previous court appearance in December, there was minimal discussion of a possible plea deal during his hearing on Tuesday.
Santos’ lawyer, Joseph Murray, stated simply that negotiations are “productive” and that both parties would notify the judge if there were any significant developments.
Judge Joanna Seybert also authorized a timeframe for motions, papers, and other legal documents in advance of the September trial. Santos’ next court appearance is now scheduled for August 13.
Downfall and Political Fallout
After winning the 2022 election campaigns as a “self-made Wall Street whiz,” his entire life story came apart shortly after his victory revealed that Santos lied about where he worked and went to college; major parts of his personal background are also claimed. It bit [his] dust after the House Ethics Committee reported a damming report that affirmed there was “overwhelming evidence” to prove he had committed a crime and used his seat for personal financial gain.
After Tuesday’s hearing, Santos declined to say what he’s been up to since his humiliating exit from national politics.
In recent months, he has given a few interviews and created an account on the website Cameo, where people may pay him for a personalized video greeting.