U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert refused to dismiss criminal charges against former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., on Friday, ruling he failed to meet the legal standards in his motion to dismiss the fraud charges, reported The Hill.
The former Republican House member faces 23 counts against him that cost him his congressional seat last year, including inflated campaign finance reports, lying on financial disclosures, and misleading donors.
Santos, who has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges, also allegedly received fraudulent unemployment benefits.
Prosecutors say the embattled former lawmaker is guilty of identity theft, allegedly stealing information from campaign donors, and using their credit cards to furnish his campaign fund and personal bank account.
Former campaign fundraiser Samuel Miele and former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks also faced charges of fraud and plead guilty.
U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said Santos used his position in office as an "opportunity to defraud the public and our government institutions."
Santos served New York's 3rd Congressional District before being expelled in 2023 in a bipartisan vote. His trial is scheduled for September.