Brazilian Fraud Charges Reinstated Against N.Y. Rep.-Elect George Santos

Brazilian officials are reinstating criminal fraud charges against Rep.-elect George Santos (R–New York) as the Long Island Republican becomes increasingly shrouded in scandal over his resume and identity.

A spokesperson from the prosecutor’s office in Rio de Janeiro told the press that police hadn’t been able to locate Santos but would now seek a “formal response” about the fraud case from over a decade ago.

In 2008, Santos allegedly entered a clothing store in Niterói, Brazil, and spent almost $700 using a fake name and stolen checkbook. He subsequently told police that he stole the checkbook from an elderly man whom his mother had worked for.

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Santos was charged with embezzlement in a Brazilian court in 2011 but the charge was archived after he ignored his court summons and the Rio de Janeiro Court couldn’t locate him. The politician denied the criminal charges in an interview with the New York Post last week.

“I am not a criminal here,” he said, “Not here or in Brazil or any jurisdiction in the world. Absolutely not. That did not happen.”

The 34-year-old is also facing two additional investigations by Nassau County and the Eastern District of New York regarding campaign finance as well as fabricated claims about his educational and professional background. He’s admitted that he lied about working for Goldman Sachs and graduating from Baruch College. He also falsely called himself Jewish and lied about having family who survived the Holocaust and is under fire for claiming his mother died during 9/11, despite an obituary stating she died in 2016 from cancer.

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Attorneys for Santos are calling the allegations “defamatory.” He is still set to take office despite many calling for him to step aside in light of the investigations and lies. His swearing has been delayed as Republican struggle to elect the next speaker.