US Rep. George Santos’ former campaign treasurer pleads guilty to a conspiracy charge

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The former campaign treasurer for U.S. Rep. George Santos, Nancy Marks, has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge related to defrauding the U.S. government and submitting false campaign finance reports. Marks, who had been a close aide to Santos during his congressional bids, made this admission in a federal courthouse on Long Island.

Marks confessed to falsely recording in campaign finance reports that Santos had loaned his campaign $500,000, even though this loan was not real, and he did not have the funds for it. The purpose of this deception was to create the illusion of a well-funded campaign, which might attract additional donors. Additionally, Marks acknowledged providing the Federal Elections Commission with a fake list of donors, using real names but with fabricated donations, without the donors’ permission.

Her guilty plea agreement includes a recommended prison sentence of 3 1/2 to 4 years. While there was no mention of a cooperation deal with prosecutors in court, Marks’s potential testimony could have serious implications for Rep. Santos, who faces charges of embezzlement, making false financial disclosures to Congress, and receiving unemployment funds improperly.

A spokesperson for Rep. Santos did not comment on the matter before Marks’ court appearance, while Marks’ lawyer, Ray Perini, suggested that Santos had manipulated his client, citing personal and family circumstances as contributing factors.

Although Marks has not formally entered into a cooperation agreement with prosecutors, her willingness to testify against Santos if subpoenaed remains a possibility.

Marks resigned as Santos’ treasurer amid growing concerns about his campaign’s finances and revelations of fabricated details in his life story. Santos faces a 13-count federal indictment involving charges of money laundering and false statements to Congress.

The investigation into Santos, a first-term congressman, has also cast a shadow over Marks, a significant figure in Long Island Republican politics who provided consulting and treasurer services to numerous political candidates.

Questions have arisen about Santos’ campaign filings, including unusual expenses just below the legal disclosure limit. Santos, in response, has tried to shift blame onto Marks, alleging that she acted independently without his knowledge.

While Santos has admitted to fabricating aspects of his background, questions linger about his employment history and the source of over $700,000 initially claimed as a personal loan to his campaign.

Santos has pleaded not guilty to charges of deceiving donors, misappropriating campaign funds, lying to Congress about his financial status, and fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits. He has resisted calls to resign from his congressional post.

Aside from Santos, Marks’ most notable client was former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, with whom she had ties during his gubernatorial campaign in 2022. Additionally, public records show that Marks was associated with a political consulting firm incorporated in Florida, with connections to Santos’ company and individuals previously linked to a securities firm facing allegations of being a Ponzi scheme.

Marks becomes the second person, besides Santos, to face charges related to the campaign. In August, a former fundraiser for Santos, Sam Miele, was indicted on federal charges for impersonating a high-ranking staff member of another Congressman. Miele pleaded not guilty, with his attorney predicting exoneration at trial.

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More about Campaign Finance Scandal

• Nancy Marks Pleads Guilty
• Rep. George Santos Charges
• Sam Miele Indictment
• Rep. Lee Zeldin
• Campaign Finance Reports
• Federal Elections Commission
• U.S. Politics
• Long Island Republican Politics
• Money Laundering Charges
• False Financial Disclosures
• Unemployment Benefits