Family Members Bail Out Indicted Congressman George Santos
Rep. George Santos' father and aunt, Gercino dos Santos Jr. and Elma Santos Preven, put up the $500,000 bail bond that allowed him to walk free after his arrest by federal authorities last month. Santos is accused of running a scheme to defraud political donors, cheating the federal government out of COVID-19 relief funds, and even faking disclosure forms during his campaign for a Long Island congressional seat. The identity of Santos' mystery benefactors drew the interest not only of the news media but also the House Ethics Committee, which wants to evaluate whether receiving the bail bond breached congressional rules on receiving gifts.