George Santos indictment: Congressman pleads not guilty to 13 counts

The freshman representative pleaded not guilty to 13 criminal counts.

Last Updated: May 10, 2023, 2:28 PM EDT

Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., has been indicted on 13 criminal counts, including seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives, federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York said Wednesday.

The embattled congressman, who was taken into custody Wednesday on Long Island, New York, pleaded not guilty on all counts at his arraignment then was released on bond.

Top headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
May 10, 2023, 2:28 PM EDT

Santos pleads not guilty

Santos has pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment at the Long Island federal courthouse.

May 10, 2023, 1:29 PM EDT

Santos' attorney arrives at courthouse

Santos' lawyer, Joe Murray, and congressional aide Vish Burra have entered the Long Island federal courthouse where Santos is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon.

Joe Murray, attorney for Rep. George Santos, arrives at Federal Court, May 10, 2023 in Central Islip, New York.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Neither responded to questions from reporters as they made their way inside.

May 10, 2023, 12:52 PM EDT

Several House Republicans reiterate calls for Santos to resign

About a dozen GOP members of the House had previously called on Santos to resign or be expelled from Congress in the face of allegations against him, and several of them are reiterating that stance today.

In a statement today, fellow New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, said, "The charges against Rep. Santos are extremely serious and deeply disturbing and as I've previously said, he simply doesn't have the trust of his constituents or colleagues. The sooner he leaves, the sooner his district can be represented by someone who isn't a liar and fraud."

Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., told reporters on his way into a conference meeting this morning, "I can't wait for him to be gone."

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Tex., tweeted, "George Santos should be immediately expelled from Congress and a special election initiated at the soonest possible date," while Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., told reporters, "This has been going on now since we took the majority. Frankly, I would have hoped along the way that Mr. Santos would have done what I believed was the right thing and not force leadership to force his action, but for him to do it on his own."

The office of Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, says his position remains unchanged from the his Jan. 12 statement which said, in part, "I do not believe George Santos can effectively serve and should resign."

In other statements released Tuesday night by Santos' fellow New York Republicans, Rep. Nick LaLota said, "These charges bring us one step closer to never having to talk about this lying loser ever again," while Rep. Mike Lawler said, "I reiterate my call for George Santos to step down" and Rep. Anthony D'Esposito said, "As a retired NYPD Detective, I am confident the justice system will fully reveal Congressman Santos' long history of deceit, and I once again call on this serial fraudster to resign from office."

Other GOP House members from New York who have previously called for Santos to step down include Rep. Nick Langworthy and Rep. Brandon Williams.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., told CNN Tuesday night, "I do believe that if a member of Congress is charged with a federal crime they should resign," and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told CNN, "We should really hold our own accountable and recruit someone who's going to be better."

-ABC News' Lauren Peller, Gabe Ferris, Katherine Faulders and Jay O'Brien

May 10, 2023, 11:16 AM EDT

House GOP leadership standing by Santos

House Republican leadership is continuing to stand by Santos following the 13-count indictment. Among the House's GOP leadership, there have been no calls today for Santos to resign.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy says that Santos, "like every American," will have his "day in court."

"He will go through his time in trial and let's find out how the outcome is," McCarthy said.

The speaker said that Santos "was never put on committee, so he won't serve on committee."

Asked if money laundering, wire fraud, and lying to Congress concerns him, McCarthy responded, "It always concerns me."

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, during a press conference this morning, said that the charges were serious -- but did not call on Santos to resign.

"There's a presumption of innocence, but the charges are serious," Scalise said. "He'll have to go through the legal process."

-ABC News' Gabe Ferris, Lauren Peller and Katherine Faulders

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