GOP New York Rep. George Santos’ former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, will plead guilty to felony charges.
Santos is facing multiple federal charges related to his campaign finances and personal expenses. According to the Justice Department, Santos has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.
Santos pleaded not guilty to all the charges in May 2023 and said he would fight the “witch hunt” against him, angrily defying all calls for him to resign from Congress. He has also been accused of lying about his personal and professional background, such as his mother’s involvement in 9/11, his work experience at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and his sexual misconduct allegations. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into him earlier this year. If convicted, Santos could face up to 20 years in prison.
Now his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, is scheduled to plead guilty on Thursday to an unspecified felony in connection with the investigation of Santos’ campaign. His former fundraiser, Samuel Miele, has also been indicted on charges of aggravated identity theft and wire fraud for allegedly impersonating an aide to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
Marks served as the campaign treasurer and close aide to Santos during his two congressional bids. A key behind-the-scenes figure in Long Island Republican politics, Marks built a business as a treasurer and consultant to dozens of local, state and federal candidates.
She resigned amid growing questions about Santos’ campaign finances and revelations Santos had fabricated much of his life story.
Marks has faced questions about the congressman’s unexplained campaign filings, including a series of $199.99 expenses, just below the legal limit for disclosure.
Santos, pleading not guilty to all the charges brought against him, has sought to pin the blame for his unexplained finances on Marks, who he claims “went rogue” without his knowledge.
While Santos may not have broken laws by fabricating a false narrative about his personal identity and past, questions remain about what he did for work, his true income, whether he complied with IRS laws, and the source of more than $700,000 that he initially claimed to have loaned his campaign from his own personal fortune.
It now remains to be seen whether Marks will cut a deal with prosecutors that will provide evidence against Santos.
