The question of who guaranteed the $500,000 bond for Rep. George Santos has been at the forefront of recent discussions. Today, the names of the two guarantors, his father Gercino dos Santos Jr. and his aunt Elma Preven, were finally revealed, ending weeks of speculation and putting an end to a legal battle over their identities. Santos’ lawyer had previously argued that he would rather go to jail than subject his guarantors to public scrutiny, but the federal judge dismissed his appeal to keep their names sealed.
Court documents have shown that dos Santos and Preven appeared in court to sign Santos’ bond, without having to provide cash or property as collateral. Instead, they accepted personal responsibility for ensuring that Santos appeared in court and complied with the conditions of his bond. Both guarantors reside in New York, with Preven indicating her occupation as a mail handler for the Postal Service and dos Santos mentioning his work as a painter or in construction, or his retirement, when contributing to Santos’ congressional campaigns.
The disclosure of the guarantors’ identities generated significant interest, as previous reporting had uncovered falsehoods in Santos’ biography and raised ethical concerns regarding his personal and campaign finances. Santos has admitted to lying about his education and work history but has remained vague about other inconsistencies and his business dealings in relation to his political efforts.
Federal prosecutors have charged Santos with wire fraud, making unlawful monetary transactions, theft of public funds, and fraudulently receiving over $24,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits while employed. Santos has pleaded not guilty to all charges but remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
The debate over Santos’ bail funds and the ethical concerns surrounding him prompted various theories. News organizations, including The New York Times, requested the release of the guarantors’ identities, arguing that it was a matter of public interest.
Santos’ lawyer implied that the guarantors were relatives in his attempt to block the release of their names. He cited an exception in the Ethics Committee rules that allows representatives to receive gifts or favors from immediate relatives, spouses, extended family, or in-laws, in defense of Santos’ actions. However, the lawyer did not explicitly state the nature of the relationship between Santos and the guarantors.
Furthermore, the lawyer expressed concerns that revealing the names of the guarantors could subject them to distress, potential job loss, and even physical harm. Initially, there were three guarantors, but one withdrew their support due to the media scrutiny surrounding Santos’ case.
As part of his bond agreement, Santos, who is seeking reelection, is allowed to travel between New York and Washington, D.C., with prior permission for other trips. The next hearing in his criminal case is scheduled for June 30.
Please note that this content is originally from The New York Times.
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