George Santos’ ex-accountant pleads guilty in federal court

Rep. George Santos’ former campaign treasurer pleaded guilty Thursday to an unspecified federal charge, according to The Associated Press.

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Update 4:34 p.m. EDT Oct. 5: Nancy Marks pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to defraud the United States government, according to the AP. Marks said that Santos gave his campaign a fake loan in order to make it look like his campaign was well-funded in hopes of attracting other donors, Marks told the judge.

Marks’ plea deal comes with a recommendation that she serve three-and-a-half to four years in prison, the AP reported.

Santos is facing a 13-count federal indictment, the AP reported. Charges include money laundering and lying to Congress in a financial disclosure earlier.

— Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Original story: Nancy Marks, who has handled the finances of several prominent New York Republicans, will formally enter her plea on Thursday, The New York Times reported, citing unidentified sources. Court records indicate she is facing at least one felony charge in connection with the case against Santos.

Marks served as Santos’ campaign treasurer during his two congressional bids in 2020 and 2022, The Associated Press reported. She left the role in January amid growing questions about Santos’ finances and fabricated parts of his biography, according to the CNN.

A federal grand jury in May indicted Santos, R-N.Y., on more than a dozen charges, including wire fraud and money laundering. Authorities accused him of funneling cash earmarked for his congressional campaign into his own pockets and claiming unemployment benefits while earning a six-figure salary and running for Congress.

Santos has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

It was not immediately clear how the case against Marks might affect the charges that Santos faces.