Ex-fundraiser for George Santos pleads guilty to posing as congressional aide to raise campaign cash

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A former fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos has entered a guilty plea to a federal wire fraud charge, in which he confessed to posing as a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign funds for the embattled New York Republican. Sam Miele, aged 27, faced allegations of impersonating Dan Meyer, who at the time served as the chief of staff for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the then-Republican minority leader. While it remains unconfirmed whether Meyer was indeed the aide Miele impersonated, the case highlights the serious consequences of fraudulent actions in the political arena.

Miele, who had been indicted on four counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, is set to be sentenced on April 30. According to estimated sentencing guidelines, he could potentially face more than two years in prison, as stated by a spokesperson from the U.S. attorney’s office. In addition to wire fraud, Miele acknowledged committing access device fraud by making unauthorized charges to credit cards, totaling approximately $100,000. These unauthorized transactions were used to fund political campaigns, including that of Santos, as well as for personal expenses.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “The defendant used fraud and deceit to steal more than $100,000 from his victims, funneling this money into the campaign committees of candidates for the House, and into his own pockets. Defrauding potential political contributors undermines our democracy, and we will vigorously prosecute such conduct.”

Miele has agreed to make restitution payments of approximately $109,000, forfeit an additional $69,000, and make a $470,000 payment to a campaign contributor, as part of his plea agreement. This case also marks the second plea deal involving a campaign aide to Santos in a federal investigation. Nancy Marks, the ex-treasurer for Santos, previously pleaded guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge, implicating Santos in a scheme to manipulate his campaign finance reports with fabricated loans and donors.

Santos himself faces a 23-count federal indictment, alleging identity theft of campaign donors and unauthorized credit card charges. The indictment accuses Santos of transferring some of the embezzled funds to his personal bank account and using the rest to bolster his campaign finances. Additionally, he is accused of falsely reporting a $500,000 loan to his campaign when he had not made any such contribution and had minimal funds in his account. This alleged deception aimed to secure financial support from the Republican Party.

Santos has maintained his innocence, pledging to clear his name. Marks’ willingness to testify against him could significantly impact his case, although it remains uncertain if Miele will also testify against Santos.

As this legal battle unfolds, Santos continues to serve as a representative for parts of Queens and Long Island, surviving a recent expulsion vote in the House. The outcome of both his criminal case and the House Ethics Committee investigation will undoubtedly have significant implications for his political future.

In an ironic twist, Santos pointed out that Miele’s fraudulent actions revolved around the name “Dan Meyer,” which is notably “Dan Meyer” spelled backward. Despite this bizarre turn of events, the seriousness of the charges underscores the importance of maintaining integrity in the political sphere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Campaign Fundraising Impersonation

More about Campaign Fundraising Impersonation

• Former fundraiser pleads guilty to wire fraud
• Impersonation of congressional aide in campaign fundraising
• Wire fraud and identity theft charges for Sam Miele
• Nancy Marks’ plea deal and implications for George Santos
• George Santos’ federal indictment and charges
• George Santos’ response to allegations
• Political repercussions for George Santos