NEW YORK (AP) — The former campaign treasurer of Republican Congressman George Santos will plead guilty Thursday to an unspecified felony in connection with the federal investigation into alleged financial irregularities by Santos.
Nancy Marks, a veteran Long Island political consultant, was Santos’ treasurer and adviser during both of his congressional campaigns. Marks resigned amid questions about Santos’ campaign financing and revelations that Santos had fabricated much of his biography.
Marks is scheduled to appear in court in Central Islip on Thursday afternoon. Santos faces a 13-count federal case of money laundering and lying to Congress.
Neither Marks nor Santos responded to messages seeking comment. A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office in Brooklyn declined to say what charges Marks faces. She has not been previously charged, and Thursday will be her first court appearance.
The investigation into Santos now also covers Marks, a prominent political figure in Long Island Republican circles who built a business as treasurer and consultant for dozens of municipal, state and federal candidates.
Marks has faced questions about unusual campaign contributions to Santos, including a large contribution amount of $199.99, just below the legal limit for having to disclose the source of the funds. Santos, for his part, has tried to blame Marks, whom he accuses of acting on his behalf without the legislator’s knowledge.
If Marks reaches a deal to testify against Santos, it could deal a blow to the Republican lawmaker, who is accused of embezzling campaign funds, lying on financial statements submitted to Congress and receiving unemployment benefits when he should not have.
Although Santos has admitted that he invented parts of his past, such as that he was a wealthy businessman who graduated from recognized universities, unknowns remain about what he did for a living, and about the true origin of $700,000 that he previously said he lent to his campaign out of his own pocket.
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2023-10-05 17:12:14
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