Former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is facing a fraud trial in September, has requested a partially anonymous jury. Santos' lawyers argued that due to the high level of media attention and the political nature of the case, individual jurors' identities should only be known by the judge, the two sides, and their attorneys to ensure juror safety, privacy, and impartiality.
Santos, who was elected in 2022 and later expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, is facing charges related to financial crimes, including lying to Congress about his wealth and misusing campaign contributions for personal expenses.
On the other hand, federal prosecutors are seeking to admit some of Santos' past campaign lies as evidence in the trial. These lies include false claims about his education, work experience, and financial assets. Prosecutors argue that these fabrications are crucial to establishing Santos' state of mind at the time of the alleged crimes.
In response to the government's arguments, Santos' legal team declined to comment. However, they have previously raised concerns about the fairness of the trial and the potential for juror harassment or intimidation due to the extensive media coverage surrounding the case.
The two sides are set to appear in federal court in Central Islip on August 13 for further proceedings. Santos has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and the trial is scheduled to begin on September 9.
