Scandal-plagued George Santos, a Republican congressman, has entered a not guilty plea to more than a dozen federal counts, including money laundering and fraud.
The 34-year-old is charged with squandering money, lying to Congress about his earnings, and taking unemployment benefits in violation of the law.
He described the probe as a “witch hunt” outside of the New York court.
Since he began serving in January, it has come to light that a significant portion of his biography was made up.
The New York representative could spend up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of the most serious allegations.
Three unidentified people posted a $500,000 (£400,000) bail bond as security for Mr. Santos’ release.
On Wednesday afternoon, a defiant Mr. Santos said in front of the federal court in Long Island that he would not step down and promised to “keep fighting” for his district.
He declared, “This is the beginning of my ability to address and defend myself.”
He will be restricted to his native New York, Washington, D.C., and areas nearby. Other travel requires prior authorization.
The lawmaker only spoke once during the session, saying “yes ma’am” to the judge, said the Associated Press. He had his fingerprints taken as well as a mug shot. The 30th of June is the date of his upcoming court appearance.
The Republican is charged with taking part in three intricate fraud schemes in the 20-page, 13-count indictment.
Federal authorities claim that Mr. Santos first misled donors who contributed to his House of Representatives campaign by utilising the money for personal costs such as designer clothing and credit card payments rather than campaign-related expenses.
Second, Mr. Santos is accused of being involved in a scheme to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits while working for a Florida-based investment company, which the federal government shut down in 2021 over claims that it operated as a Ponzi scheme and paid him a salary of $120,000 (£95,000).
The Republican allegedly misled the Congress about his finances, according to the prosecution.
He is charged with seven charges of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one offence of stealing from the government, and two counts of giving the House of Representatives materially false information.
The indictment “seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” according to US Attorney Breon Peace.
“Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself,” Mr. Peace said.
Since taking office in January, the Long Island lawmaker has been involved in scandal.
He has been charged with lying about his educational background and employment history, breaking campaign finance and conflict of interest regulations, fabricating the story that his grandparents had survived the Holocaust, and setting up a fictitious animal charity to steal money intended for a dying veteran’s dog.
One cent less than the $200 threshold at which receipts are required, as seen on campaign finance records obtained by US media, raises concerns about how his election funds were used.
In an interview with a television network in February, Mr. Santos acknowledged that he was a “terrible liar” in an effort to gain the support of his party. However, he emphasised that the lies were “not about tricking the people” and refuted any accusations of criminal activity.
In the Republican-controlled chamber, House Democrats introduced a resolution in February to expel Mr. Santos.
He has previously been the target of resignation requests from members of his own party.
Marc Molinaro, a fellow Republican in the New York House, said on Wednesday, “I can’t wait for him to be gone.”
Senator Mitt Romney said Mr. Santos ought to have quit months earlier when he challenged him during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech in February. The wheels of justice, in my opinion, are turning slowly but finely, Mr. Romney added.
The “ongoing attention” caused Mr. Santos to stand aside from two House committees earlier this year, but he defied the pressure and said in April that he would run for re-election in 2024.
Republicans, according to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, would reserve judgement until his case was resolved.
After leaving a weekly meeting with GOP House members, he told reporters, “In America, you’re innocent until proven guilty.”
Later, he clarified that he would not back Mr. Santos’ campaign for reelection.
