Judge refuses George Santos’s request to strike identity theft charges from using donor’s credit cards

As former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) inches closer to trial for defrauding campaign donors, his motion to dismiss charges has been struck down.  

U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert turned down Santos’ request to dismiss three charges of aggravated identity theft and theft of public money against him, according to the Associated Press. Santos was expelled from Congress last year for dozens of federal charges against him, including the credit card scam, and became the sixth member to be forced out of the chamber.

In the charges that Santos wished to dismiss, he is being accused of using campaign donors’ credit card information to make donations the donor had not authorized. Prosecutors also alleged that Santos tried to hide the source of money and evade campaign contribution limits.

In the defense’s view, the charges on identity theft are invalid because Santos overcharged credit card accounts he had voluntarily been provided with. Santos’ lawyers believe the charge has improperly combined multiple alleged criminal schemes and transactions, which courts have previously not allowed.

Prosecutors said the charges are tied together because they are a part of “a single continuing scheme.”

In addition to charges of aggravated identity theft and theft of public money, Santos is being accused of lying to Congress, unrightfully collecting unemployment benefits, and using campaign donations for personal use like Botox and designer clothing.

He pled not guilty to the indictment and is set to go on trial in September in New York.