Marketing campaign fundraiser George Santos has pleaded responsible to fraud

A former marketing campaign staffer for Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., pleaded responsible Tuesday to a federal wire fraud cost stemming from his work for the embattled congressman.

Samuel Milley, 27, was charged in August with wire fraud and identification theft as a result of he posed as a prime aide to then-Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy whereas elevating cash for Santos’ 2022 marketing campaign.

Prosecutors stated Milley used his aide’s identification with greater than a dozen potential donors, elevating cash for the candidate whereas enriching himself by way of 15% commissions on every donation. Prosecutors stated Milley additionally admitted in his confession that he had unauthorized charged bank cards to contribute to the campaigns of “Candidate No. 1” — Santos — and different campaigns, in addition to himself.

In her affidavit filed with the choose, Milley stated that between August and December of 2021, she “pretended to be the Speaker of the Home’s chief of workers in sure telephone calls and emails with potential donors, together with an e mail on August 19, 2021, by which I used “Interstate wire. I did it to assist me elevate cash for the congressional marketing campaign I used to be engaged on.”

“As well as, between November 2020 and January of this yr, I triggered roughly $100,000 to be debited from a number of donors’ bank cards with out their permission. I used a few of these funds as donations to a congressional candidate and a few for my very own bills.” Millie stated on the mannequin.

Brion Tempo, US Legal professional for the Japanese District of New York, stated Milley “used fraud and deception to steal greater than $100,000 from his victims and switch this cash to the marketing campaign committees of Home candidates and to his personal crew.” Pockets.”

As a part of the plea deal, prosecutors stated Milley agreed to pay $109,171 in restitution, $69,136 in forfeitures, and $470,000 to a marketing campaign contributor. He additionally faces a most of 20 years in jail when he’s sentenced on April 30.

Santos, who faces separate fraud fees, stated: theAssociated Press In August he fired Milley in 2021 after studying of the fraud from a McCarthy aide.

Milley’s lawyer didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark, nor did Santos’ workplace.

Prosecutors stated Meili despatched a letter to Santos in 2022 attempting to elucidate his actions. Within the letter, Milley admitted to “falsifying” his “identification to a significant donor,” however stated Milley additionally described himself as “excessive danger, excessive reward in every part I do,” the indictment stated.

Final month, Santos’ former marketing campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded responsible to fees that implicated Santos in wrongdoing, together with falsifying marketing campaign types so the candidate might obtain matching funds to which he was not entitled.

Santos, who was indicted in Could on 13 felony counts, was charged with 10 further counts in a superseding indictment days after Marks’ confession.

He has pleaded not responsible to all fees and maintains that he’s the sufferer of a politically motivated “witch hunt.”

Earlier this month, Santos, who has admitted to fabricating and exaggerating elements of his background, survived an try by fellow Home Republicans from New York to expel him from Congress.