Parties Aim to Avoid Trial
The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York has revealed that plea negotiations are currently underway in the case against U.S. Congressman Santos. The goal is to resolve the charges without the need for a trial. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in Long Island, the Attorney’s office stated, “The parties are presently engaged in plea negotiations with the goal of resolving this matter without the need for a trial.”
Attorney Consulted on Letter
According to Reuters, Santos’ attorney, Joseph Murray, has confirmed that prosecutors consulted him regarding the content of the letter. Murray agreed to the language used in the letter but declined to comment further on the matter.
Indictment on Multiple Charges
Santos, who has pleaded not guilty, has been indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, falsification of records, credit card fraud, and other charges. It is important to note that he has not been convicted of a crime.
Strongly Bipartisan Vote
In a vote of 311 to 114, the decision regarding Santos’ future in Congress was strongly bipartisan. However, it is worth mentioning that slightly more Republicans voted to keep Santos than to oust him.
Trial Date and Special Election
A trial date of September 9, 2024, has been set, although prosecutors have requested to move the trial to May or June of the same year. With Santos out of Congress, a special election to fill his seat has been scheduled for February 13, 2024. While the Democrats have nominated a candidate, the Republicans have yet to announce their nominee.
Contributions to Report
This report includes contributions from Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Reuters.