ALBANY — Former Rep. George Santos’ congressional campaign has $562 in cash on hand, but also has $786,932 in debt, federal records show. The debt includes $156,932 owed to Republican workers and campaign companies and $630,000 in loans that he said he made to the campaign.
In announcing a federal indictment in October against Santos, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace called the loans "nonexistent" and fabricated.
Santos, who represented parts of Nassau County and Queens for 11 months, pleaded guilty Aug. 19 in federal court to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a minimum of 2 years in federal prison under the identity theft charge and as much as 20 years in prison for wire fraud.
The court says he owes donors $373,749 in restitution. Santos, 36, rode a red wave on Long Island in 2022 to win an open seat in the 3rd Congressional District. His descent began shortly thereafter when The New York Times reported that Santos fabricated parts of his biography and professional history.
On Dec. 1, the House of Representatives expelled him after finding he used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses. Three days after his expulsion, his campaign paid a $3,053 tab for a meal at the Capitol Hill Club, a private club for Republicans, according to the July 30 filing with the Federal Elections Commission.
Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . This year, records show his campaign paid Santos $85,000 to reimburse par.