Former Santos fundraiser charged in alleged plot to get campaign dollars by impersonating Hill aide

A former fundraiser for GOP Rep. George Santos was indicted Wednesday on federal charges for allegedly impersonated a congressional aide while soliciting contributions for the Republican congressman.

The fundraiser, Sam Miele, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in an alleged scheme to defraud donors and obtain money under false pretenses, according to the Associated Press. 

Prosecutors said Miele uses a false name and email address to trick at least a dozen prospective donors, the wire service also reports.

Other news gathering agencies report the aide whose information Miele allegedly used works for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. 

Santos, a New York lawmaker who fabricated much of his resume to help himself get elected in 2022, was not charged in the Miele case.

The Justice Department in May charged Santos with fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and false statements in connection with last year's campaign.