Santos raises $162K, repays himself $85K

BY BRANDON DUFFY

U.S. Rep. George Santos of the 3rd Congressional District raised $162,031.52 in the latest quarter for his re-election campaign, repaying $85,000 of the contributions to himself to partly cover over $700,000 in personal loans from previous congressional bids, according to the Federal Election Commission.

An amended fling report showed the indicted congressman is currently behind Democratic hopefuls–former two-term state Sen. Anna Kaplan, advocacy group cofounder Zak Malamed and Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan (D-Woodbury)–and Republican challenger Kellen Curry in fund-raising eforts for the quarter.

Santos is currently being investigated by the House Ethics Committee and faces a 13-county federal indictment alleging multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering, among other things.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges in a June court appearance.

If convicted of the top charges, Santos could face up to 20 years in prison.

Santos reported having approximately $86,500 cash on hand and $630,000 in debt owed to the previous loans for the quarterly period.

Kaplan, of Great Neck, reported raising $455,060.98 for the quarter, which included $190,000 for her own campaign. Kaplan fnished the quarter with