The judge presiding over the fraud case involving Representative George Santos (R-NY) has granted a request to postpone the trial, allowing for further discussions on potential resolutions.
This development has sparked speculation that a plea deal may be on the horizon.
Federal prosecutors had expressed optimism about reaching a resolution that would satisfy both parties. In a filing, they stated, "The parties have continued to discuss possible paths forward in this matter. The parties wish to have additional time to continue those discussions."
However, when approached by a reporter, Santos vehemently denied the existence of any ongoing deal, dismissing it as "wildly inaccurate." He further criticized the reporter, stating, "You're a real hack of a reporter. Please do not contact me any longer or I will deem your unsolicited communication as harassment."
The judge's decision to delay the trial came shortly after these events unfolded.
Santos, a 35-year-old Congressman, was indicted in May on multiple charges, including fraud, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, and making false statements to Congress. In addition to the ongoing legal proceedings, Santos is also facing an ethics investigation in the House and a campaign finance investigation. The Department of Justice has requested that the Federal Elections Commission temporarily halt their investigation until the federal case is resolved.
A screenshot of the order, shared by Adam Klasfeld, managing editor of Law & Crime News, revealed that Judge Goanna Seybert has ordered a time exclusion period from September 7 to October 27, 2023. This means that this period will not be counted towards the overall time within which the trial must commence in this particular case.
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