Former U.S. Rep. George Santos is set to stand trial in September on charges of financial crimes, including lying to Congress and misusing campaign funds. The trial, scheduled to begin on September 9, will feature an anonymous jury, as confirmed by Judge Joanna Seybert.
Santos, who has pleaded not guilty to a range of charges, including falsely representing his wealth and using campaign contributions for personal expenses, appeared in court dressed in a blue suit. His trial is expected to last three weeks.
Santos' defense team had requested a written questionnaire for prospective jurors to gauge their opinions of him due to extensive negative media coverage surrounding the case. However, prosecutors argued against this, labeling it as a delay tactic.
Despite the media scrutiny, Santos' lawyer expressed confidence in receiving a fair trial. The defense also sought an anonymous jury, a request to which prosecutors did not object.
Prosecutors are aiming to introduce evidence of false claims made by Santos during his campaign, alleging that these fabrications are linked to the criminal charges he faces.
Earlier attempts by Santos to dismiss some of the charges were denied by the federal judge. Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December following an ethics investigation, dropped a bid to return to Congress as an independent in April.
The trial is expected to be closely watched due to the high-profile nature of the case and Santos' previous public persona. Stay updated on the trial proceedings for further developments.
