Scammer Targets Disgraced George Santos, Tries To Fleece $900K: Feds

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Texas man surrendered to authorities Wednesday after being accused of sending former Rep. George Santos texts and videos falsely claiming he could get Santos' criminal charges thrown out in exchange for $900,000, according to court documents.

The man, identified in an affidavit obtained by Patch as Hector Medina, Jr., is accused of intending to defraud multiple anonymous targets — two of whom were identified by The Hill and other outlets as Santos and disgraced "That 70s Show" actor Danny Masterson — in summer 2023.

In one video message, which the affidavit says was sent to the phone of "the United States Congressman for New York’s Third Congressional District," Medina introduced himself as Mike Soto.

"I was contacted by some people to reach out to you and see if you wanted to cut a deal," Medina said in the message, according to documents. "Uh, this only stands for today. If you’re interested, I can get everything dropped, evidence that is on you removed, disappeared. Reach out to me if you’re interested. It's simple yes or no. Thank you."

Around the same day, Medina followed up with a series of texts, according to the documents.

"All I need is for you or someone to wire 900k to [routing number], [account number] once this is done I'll take care of the rest," one text read. In a follow-up series of messages, he added "I'm the real deal don’t let doubt come," "In the way," "Of you getting this dismissed."

The texts continued for at least a month, though court documents do not indicate that Santos replied to any messages from Medina. However, according to The Hill, Santos reported the matter to the Department of Justice and handed over the evidence.

Also in summer 2023, Medina texted Masterson, who has since been convicted of multiple rapes, that he "can get the case thrown out or a reduced sentence very low" but that his "people are asking for a $1 million dollar fee."

When interviewed in December, Medina admitted to authorities that he sent the above-mentioned messages and videos and found prospective victims by searching the internet for people who were in trouble, the affidavit stated.

He added that the purpose of the scheme was to obtain money, as he owed over $100,000 in gambling debts, according to the affidavit.

Medina has prior criminal convictions for theft and fraudulent activity, the affidavit says.

Medina, who faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, first appeared in court in Texas Wednesday and will later appear in Brooklyn federal court, a representative for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York told Patch.

Santos previously pleaded not guilty to 23 federal fraud and conspiracy counts after it was discovered following his election win that the majority of his resume was fabricated. He was expelled from Congress in December.

Masterson was sentenced in September to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women at his Hollywood Hills home about two decades ago.