Court filings revealed Thursday revealed the secret identities of the bail backers that guaranteed Rep. George Santos‘ $500,000 bond after his arraignment on 13 criminal counts last month —his father, Gercino dos Santos, and his aunt, Elma Preven.
The Congressman had sought to keep his family members‘ identities hidden from the public, however, a district judge ordered their names be made public at noon Eastern Standard Time. Rep. Santos reacted to this ruling while at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday afternoon. “I‘m concerned,” he said in response to threats of safety for his family, according to NBC News.
When asked if his family had enough money to back the bond, Santos deflected the question and said, “Don’t you think that’s a little invasive? That’s exactly the reason that I chose to keep their identities secure.” Santos continued by describing his father and aunt as “honest working people.”
A magistrate judge handling his case, Magistrate Judge Anne Shields, said that the two family members had signed Santos‘ bond five days after his arraignment. Although they hadn’t secured it with cash or property, Shields said they agreed to be “personally responsible for Defendant‘s compliance.”
Santos pleaded not guilty to the 13 criminal counts against him, which include money laundering, wire fraud, theft of public funds, and making false statements. He has stated he will not resign from office and still intends to run for reelection in 2024.
A spokesperson for Santos’ office had not responded to inquiries from CNBC as of Thursday afternoon. Since his arraignment, The New York Times has argued that the law supported the public’s right to know the suretors. The newspaper continued by saying that “the very crimes Rep. Santos has been charged with involve abusing the political process for personal gain.”
Although Santos attempted to shield his family from the publicity, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert ordered that “all previously sealed documents, including the Bond, are to be unsealed to the extent that the names of Defendant‘s Suretors are to be disclosed.”
The Judge called Santos’ argument “disingenuous,” as he had done nothing to “diffuse the ‘media frenzy‘ when leaving the courthouse,” instead choosing to address the numerous reporters that had gathered.
Days after his arraignment, Santos noted on his twitter account that he and his family “have made peace” with the court’s decision, however, “now I pray that the judge is correct and no harm comes to them.”
By Thursday evening, it had yet to be determined if the two family members had withdrawn their support from the bond as a result of the public revealing of their identities.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s clear that the Democrats–turned–Republicans but now–criminal congressman, and his family, will be held accountable for the consequences of his pending federal criminal case.
If the press needs comments they know where and how to find me.
— George Santos (@Santos4Congress) June 22, 2023
