Bayside Lawmakers, Voters Say Santos Charges Were 'Long Overdue'

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Bayside voters represented by Rep. George Santos urged House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to "show Santos the door" as the final step to remove the embattled Republican from Congress.

The reaction comes after federal prosecutors charged Santos with wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements to Congress. The freshman lawmaker pleaded not guilty on all 13 counts on Wednesday afternoon.

"The world has known for months that Santos is a liar, an imposter, a criminal," said Jody Kass Finkel, founder of Concerned Citizens of NY-03, a group of constituents in Santos's district. "The only thing we didn’t know was which of his many crimes would be prosecuted first. It’s beyond time for Speaker Kevin McCarthy to withdraw his support for Santos and show him the door. "

On Wednesday, New York Senator John Liu, who represents Bayside, said: “Finally at long last, what everyone expected for months.”

Tony Avella, former State Senator, said: "It’s long overdue for George Santos to be held accountable for his lies and deceit."

"If evidence of criminal wrongdoing is demonstrated it will be incumbent upon Congressman Santos to resign," said Vickie Paladino. "I do not plan to endorse any candidate for NY03 at this time."

Santos, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island, was released from custody on a $500,000 bond after making the plea at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, federal prosecutors said.

He stands accused of receiving unemployment benefits while he had a job and defrauding prospective political supporters by laundering money to pay for his personal expenses.

Santos, 34, has come under fire since a bombshell report from The New York Times in December revealed Santos fabricated his professional and personal background during his campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Other allegations ensued, including lies about his Jewish heritage and his volleyball scholarship at Baruch College.

Santos admitted he lied about his job experience and college education, stirring up calls for his resignation among constituents in New York's 3rd Congressional District, which he represents.

A group of voters caravaned from Long Island to Queens as a protest against Santos in February. Polls also overwhelmingly showed New Yorkers favored the Republican's resignation from Congress.