George Santos pleads guilty in federal case

Former U.S. Representative George Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with the federal fraud case that led to his expulsion from Congress.

The Republican from New York made this confession just a few weeks before the trial was scheduled to begin in early September.

The big picture: Santos was charged with serious crimes, including stealing from political donors, using campaign contributions for personal expenses, deceiving Congress about his wealth, and receiving unemployment benefits while working.

• He was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives after an ethics investigation revealed significant evidence of violations of law and abuse of his public position for personal gain.
• The guilty plea represents a significant development in the case that has damaged Santos' reputation and political career.