George Santos pleads not guilty in federal fraud case

New York Republican Rep. George Santos on Friday pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including wire fraud, lying to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States.

Santos in May pleaded not guilty to 13 federal charges and was released on $500,000 bond. His plea on Friday followed prosecutors' filing a superseding indictment with 10 additional counts.

He is slated to return to court on Dec. 12, according to Fox News. In the meantime, he is likely to face a House vote to expel him from Congress after his fellow New York Republicans on Thursday brought a privileged resolution to force the force.

House leadership may seek to table the resolution, refer it to a committee, or allow the vote. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in May referred a similar resolution to the House Ethics Committee, following a 221-204 vote. Two-thirds of the chamber must vote for expulsion to boot the lawmaker from Congress.

Motivating the latest resolution, the New York Republicans said, was the recent guilty plea of former Santos campaign treasurer Nancy Marks.

"I think the difference between this and what the Democrats had brought is that you have a guilty plea in court by his treasurer, confirming significant details and obviously a superseding indictment based on that conviction and guilty plea by his treasurer," Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said Thursday.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.