George Santos' father and aunt guaranteed $500,000 bond for congressman

The New York Times had fought to have the document unsealed, arguing that it was the public's right to see the court records.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: June 22, 2023 1:19pm

Rep. George Santos had his bail backed by family members who were named Thursday in a court filing in the federal criminal case against him.

The New York Republican's father, Gercino Dos Santos, and his aunt, Elma Santos Preven, guaranteed the congressman's $500,000 bond, according to the unsealed documents. Santos had fought to keep their names private after their bail allowed him to be released last month after he pleaded not guilty to 23 federal financial charges.

The New York Times had asked U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert to have the document unsealed, arguing that it was the public's right to see the court records.

Santos' attorney Joseph Murray asked the court to deny the request, stating, "My client would rather surrender to pretrial detainment than subject these suretors to what will inevitably come."

While initial reports stated that three people were guaranteeing Santos' bail, one of the individuals backed out by the morning of his arraignment due to concerns stemming from the press coverage of the case.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.