Rep. George Santos, RN.Y., wearing a no shutdown button walks up the House steps for a vote at the US Capitol on Sept. 28, 2023.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
The former campaign treasurer to Rep. George Santos of New York pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple campaign finance felonies related to his work for the Republican congressman, who was also charged with fraud.
The former treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring with a congressional candidate to commit wire fraud, making false statements, obstructing the administration of the Federal Election Commission, and committing aggravated identity theft .
Marks, 58, was released on $100,000 bond following his appearance in US District Court on Long Island on Thursday afternoon.
Marks in the 2022 election cycle submitted campaign finance reports that falsely claimed 10 family members of his and Santos contributed to his campaign, when no one had actually done so, court documents show.
Mark and Santos falsely told the FEC that Santos loaned his campaign large sums of money — including a $500,000 loan — when in fact he had no money to do so.
They did the procedure to qualify the financial and logistical support of Santos’ campaign from the Republican National Committee.
After the hearing, Marks’ lawyer told reporters that Santos “mentally seduced and manipulated her.”
Santos was indicted in May in a 13-count federal indictment in the same court accusing him of campaign finance fraud, money laundering and other crimes.
The freshman lawmaker pleaded not guilty and vowed not to resign from Congress.
Santos’ attorney declined to comment.
In August, Samuel Miele, a former Santos fundraiser, was charged in the same federal court with posing as a top aide to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while soliciting campaign donations.
Miele’s attorneys are in negotiations with federal prosecutors about a possible plea deal.
Santos, who represents a district that covers parts of Nassau County and Queens, has faced howls of bipartisan criticism and calls for his resignation even before he is sworn into Congress in January 2021.
Shortly after winning his election, which ousted his district from Democratic control, Santos was accused of lying about his business history and education.
Santos later admitted to fabricating those details, although he denied any other wrongdoing.
The embattled congressman has since been caught up in a series of other scandals — including one accused of scamming a veteran out of funds raised to help his sick dog — while questions about his campaign finances persist. which is increasing.
Long Island Republican politicians have repeatedly called on Santos to step down.
Democrats are targeting his congressional district as they seek to regain majority control of the House in 2024.
