Former U.S. Rep. George Santos has requested a partially anonymous jury for his upcoming fraud trial in September, while federal prosecutors are pushing to present evidence of his past campaign lies. Santos’ lawyers have argued that jurors’ identities should only be known by the judge, the two sides, and their attorneys due to the extensive media coverage and potential risks to juror safety, privacy, and impartiality.
Elected in 2022, Santos represented parts of Queens and Long Island before being expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in December. Prosecutors are seeking to admit lies Santos made during his campaign as evidence, including false claims about his education and financial background, which they believe are relevant to the charges he faces.
Santos is accused of various financial crimes, including lying to Congress about his wealth, collecting unemployment benefits while working, and misusing campaign funds for personal expenses. He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors have also requested the court to prevent Santos from arguing at trial that he is a subject of “vindictive or selective prosecution,” deeming such claims baseless and irrelevant to his guilt. Additionally, they urge Santos to comply with the required pre-trial document-sharing process.
Federal Judge Joanna Seybert recently denied Santos’ request to dismiss three of the 23 charges against him. The trial is set for September 9, with both sides due back in court on August 13. Santos’ lawyers have chosen not to comment on the government’s arguments.
