Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., made his first appearance before the judge assigned to his federal fraud case in a Long Island courthouse on Friday, where protesters awaited him chanting "resign" and "shame."
Taken together, the allegations suggest Santos relied on"repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," according to U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. One of the protesters was Richard Osthoff, a Navy veteran who says Santos stole more than $3,000 that was raised to pay for surgery for his dog, which later died. The FBI is evaluating Osthoff's claims while Santos has said he's an animal lover who would never let a dog die.
Another protester, Taiva Mahmad, accused McCarthy of leaving members of New York's 3rd Congressional District without effective representation in Congress by permitting Santos to remain in the House. Rep. George Santos is presented with a miniature American flag as he departs federal court on June 30, 2023, in Central Islip, New York.in campaign contributions, laundering it into his personal bank accounts so that he could pay down his debt and purchase designer clothes.