(Patriot.Buzz) – Despite deceiving his constituents to secure a place in the House, recently disgraced former Representative George Santos expressed a desire to re-enter Congress, revealing his aspirations during a radio interview just hours before attending a federal court hearing in Long Island.
Known for his clothing choices, Santos appeared at the hearing in Salvatore Ferragamo sneakers, priced at around $1,000 a pair, citing a foot injury as the reason for his footwear selection. This court appearance was related to his ongoing legal battles involving embezzlement and identity fraud charges.
During his interview on WABC radio with Frank Morano on “The Other Side of Midnight,” Santos, 35, stated, “I’m not done with public service. I want to go back to Congress.” He asserted the need to resolve his current legal issues and regain public trust before pursuing a return to Congress.
In the courtroom, Santos’ attorney, Joseph Murray, addressed Judge Joanna Seybert, indicating that the defense team was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of evidence, over 1.3 million pages, provided by prosecutors. Murray described the plea deal discussions as “productive,” hinting at the possibility of a fruitful outcome. Prosecutor Jacob Steiner wanted to expedite the trial, proposing a start as early as June.
Judge Seybert noted the defense team’s reduced burden since Santos no longer needs to travel to Washington D.C. She also mentioned her packed calendar, a consequence of the pandemic-era slowdown in court proceedings, stating an earlier trial date than September was improbable. She emphasized the necessity for Santos’ legal team to review the case material diligently, given the government’s right to a speedy trial.
Following the court session, Santos avoided responding to media inquiries, instead expressing a desire for less media attention. On the radio show, Santos commented on the situation of Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, facing a corruption trial, advocating for his right to the presumption of innocence.
Santos, who pleaded not guilty to a 23-count indictment, faces a potential sentence of over 22 years if convicted. Since his expulsion from the House, he has reportedly been earning income through Cameo, a platform where celebrities create personalized video messages for a fee. Santos is scheduled to return to court on January 23.
