The 35-year-old New York lawmaker has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of crimes including laundering funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally receiving unemployment benefits and charging donors’ credit cards without their consent.

The former treasurer for Santos’ campaign pleaded guilty on Oct. 5 to a conspiracy charge for inflating fundraising numbers.

“I must warn my colleagues that voting for expulsion at this point would circumvent the judicial system’s right to due process that I’m entitled to and desanctify the long-held premise that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Santos said ahead of the vote.

Expulsion of a lawmaker requires a vote by two-thirds of the chamber. Only five people have been expelled from the House in the country’s history, three for fighting against the U.S. government in the Civil War.

  • @fosiacat
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    7511 months ago

    he’s literally a con man, how is he still in office

    • @instamat
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      6411 months ago

      He’s in a conman club and they look out for each other? Idk, I’m just trying to make it make sense.

    • DreamerofDays
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      1111 months ago

      The republicans have a thin majority in the House. Even without whatever other justifications that’s a strong incentive not to bleed any more seats. Particularly when Gaetz and the Arson Caucus keeps setting the place on fire.

    • @SpaceNoodle
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      1011 months ago

      Conservatives love con men. Were you in a coma since 2015?

    • AnonTwo
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      711 months ago

      Based on the last line, you pretty much have to be actively at war with the country to get expelled pretty much.

      There’s not much precedent for it successfully being used for this.

      Not to say he hasn’t done anything wrong, just that there’s not much to expect from this.