The accusations are still under seal, but CNN said that they may have originated from claims of fraudulent statements in the lawmaker’s campaign financial reports.
According to CNN, who cited “three sources familiar with the matter,” he might show up in federal court as early as Wednesday.
During the 2022 midterm elections, Santos was able to take a competitive congressional district and turn it. But soon after, he came under fire for campaign remarks that exaggerated his credentials and past.
The legislator claimed that while running for office, he had previously worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Since then, he has acknowledged working for LinkBridge, a third company he claims transacted business with both.
He also asserted that his family had emigrated from Nazi Germany to avoid the Holocaust, though reports have disputed that claim as well.
According to CNN, Santos entered into a plea agreement with Brazilian authorities in March in exchange for confessing to robbing a local store of more than $1,300 worth of shoes and clothing in 2008. Further questions have been raised about him because of claims that he formerly performed as a drag queen in Brazil. The New York Republican has decided to compete for reelection in 2024 despite calls for him to retire.
